RICHARD Lewis, a volunteer from the Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) was our guest speaker this month.

Richard gave an interesting presentation and talk about the work of the GWAA.

The charity covers six counties, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, with a population of 2.1 million people.

They can be anywhere in the region within twenty minutes and it just takes four minutes for the helicopter to be in the air.

They need £2.3 million a year to stay operational; the charity does not receive day-to-day funding from the government or National Lottery.

Their work means they can save one in five patients who otherwise would have died.

They can perform life saving surgery under anaesthesia and blood is available for transfusing at the scene of an accident.

Richard talked about various fundraising events and showed a video of patients that had survived against all odds with the help of the prompt response of the GWAA.

Members decided that this month the money raised at our monthly draw and flower of the month competition would be donated to GWAA.

Following refreshments, president Sarah Dalrymple-Smith reminded members about the upcoming annual council meeting to be held in Cheltenham, the Coaley Group Quiz competition and the Coaley Group Spring Rally.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 7.30pm in Stone Village Hall.

Our guest speaker will be Anne Blagdon and she will be giving a talk on ‘Shake and Vac – moves to help with the housework’.