The Society is very keen to support this service which provides cover over an extensive rural area particularly for those working in agriculture and horticulture who can often be working alone in places which are isolated and difficult to access. The Air Ambulance comes into its own in these circumstances. The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance service works alongside the NHS and is part of the normal ‘999’ emergency services, the difference being that it receives no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and relies on the generosity of the public for support. Operational costs are over £3.5 million a year and the approximate cost per mission is £3,000. To date the Society has donated a total of £57,000 to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. As a thank you for our most recent donation of £8000 the Directors were invited to attend the Open Day which took place last March at Henstridge Airfield. Three Directors and their wives attended the event. It was a fascinating morning with a chance to have a look around the facility and talk to the staff and crew. Their staff are highly trained and gave a fascinating insight into their experiences working for the service. It was obvious that they are highly motivated and consider themselves to be doing their “dream” job. https://www.dsairambulance.org.uk/