East Anglian Air Ambulance

For the second year running Boxford Bike Club's annual Tornado supported the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). In 2023 we raised £1,300 and this year we were delighted to be able to donate a further £1,500 from the 2024 event together with a charity-matching donation of £1,500 from Lloyd’s of London, bringing the total to £4,300.

Denny Williams, the Tornado’s youngest participant at just eight years of age, had set himself a 200 mile challenge in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance which he had hoped to complete on the Tornado.  However, inclement conditions on the day proved a little too much and so determined Denny made up his miles the following week, raising almost £1,000 for the charity. 

We had contacted EAAA ahead of the Tornado to inform them of Denny’s endeavour, and the charity really got behind him, posting his story on their own social media - Eight-year-old Denny inspired to cycle 200 miles in aid of EAAA | East Anglian Air Ambulance.  Following an EAAA nomination, Denny won a well-deserved Young Charity Fundraiser of the Year award.  What a star!

Along with Denny, his parents and his brother, on Thursday 8th August, four Committee members were invited to the EAAA Headquarters in Norwich where Denny was presented with his award and we were all treated to a guided tour, meeting the crew of the day, and of course we had a good look around the ambulance itself, one of four currently operating in East Anglia, each a fully-fitted mobile intensive care unit equipped with some of the latest technology.

This fascinating experience allowed us the great privilege of an insight into the dedication and skill of the team and of the many volunteers who give their time working tirelessly behind the scenes.   A real eye-opener for us into this truly amazing service from truly amazing people.

Each launch of the ambulance costs around £3,700 and, other than time itself, there is no barrier to the number of times the ambulance will launch in a day.  Around 40% of EAAA’s funding comes from the weekly lottery it operates. Tickets are just £1 so if you would like to help support a genuinely worthy cause you can find details at Play the EAAA weekly lottery | East Anglian Air Ambulance.