When it comes to generosity, Midlands’ businesses are premier league class…

THE Midlands Business Awards 2009 celebrated the “best in business” last Friday 20 November at the prestigious Holte Suite at Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC. Local companies and staff walked the red carpet to be recognised for their business excellence, customer service, community support, employee development and technical innovation over the last 12 months. However, organisers Diamond Edge Events and over 350 representatives of the Midlands business community made sure it was also a night to remember for their chosen charity, Midlands Air Ambulance.

A charity auction and direct donations raised four thousand pounds on the night which was gratefully received by Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Director, Hanna Sebright:
“It costs six million pounds a year to maintain our three air ambulances and ground operations, but what is not widely known is that that Midlands Air Ambulance receives no funding from government or the National Lottery” she explained.
“We rely entirely on the generosity of the public and business community for our funding, as has been so magnificently demonstrated by everyone here at The Midlands Business Awards.”

Launching the new Midlands Air Ambulance Corporate Partnership Programme at The Awards, said the Midlands Air Ambulance has attended 1048 road traffic accidents, responded to 175 industrial accidents and 432 sporting injuries, completed 100 emergency hospital transfers and airlifted 188 children in the Midlands in the last ten months alone.

She emphasised that a sponsor-partnership with a Charity such as Midlands Air Ambulance not only provides businesses with excellent brand promotion, but also promotes positive employee motivation and community relations. There are many ways that companies and individuals can support Midlands Air Ambulance ranging from sponsoring a helicopter or funding a mercy mission to holding fund raising events or taking a syndicate stake in the Midlands Air Ambulance lottery.