Stone sisters Angela and Cath Arnold have real cause for celebration – they have raised over £50,000 for the vital work of the Staffordshire Air Ambulance Trust.
Earlier this month Angela and Cath were at the ninth Staffs Air Ambulance Ball they have organised – and the event has now seen them raise over £50,000 for the charity since the first ball back in 2004.
The 2012 ball – which was held at the County Showground in Stafford on 13th October – saw a record 422 tickets sold, with a packed night of entertainment and a charity auction led by Ben Gamble and Dave Eglington from Cuttlestones’ Auctioneers & Valuers. Key items sold included a meal cooked in the bidder’s home by a chef from The Lewis Partnership – which went for a hefty £560 – a JCB tour, signed rugby shirt and a gallon of whiskey.
This, along with sales of raffle tickets, ball tickets and the table centre displays means the total raised in 2012 looks set to top £9,000 – all of which will go toward helping the County Air Ambulance Trust in its role as an independent grant-making organisation for air ambulance charities in the Midlands and beyond.
Cath said: “I can’t quite believe we’ve been organising these balls for almost a decade now. It is hard work, but it’s also great fun and it’s so satisfying seeing a room full of people enjoying themselves whilst helping to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause. You literally never know when you or a loved one may need the assistance of an air ambulance team, and the County Air Ambulance Trust’s work is essential in helping the air ambulance operating charities make sure they have the equipment and infrastructure they need to do their job effectively.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal sponsors, donors of raffle prizes and auction lots, and each and every person who has bought a ticket over the years. A special thanks must also go to Jenkinson’s Caterers who always do us so proud – it never fails to amaze me how they put out hundreds of beautiful meals so calmly and professionally. We hope to see you all back again for our 10th anniversary ball in 2013!”
The date has already been set for the 10th Staffs Air Ambulance Ball – it will take place at the Stafford County Showground on Saturday 12th October 2013. More information can be found at www.staffsairambulanceball.co.uk
