Cornwall Air Ambulance and Carbis Bay Estate announce two-year partnership

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust has announced a new two-year partnership with Carbis Bay Estate.

Carbis Bay Estate has committed to a financial package of support and fundraising during this initial period. This is recognised by display of the Estate’s branding on the AW169 helicopter, which flies over 1,000 emergency callouts annually; a further pledge is to raise substantial donations through wider fundraising activities.

In 2022 these included the Carbis Bay Coastal Christmas Market and Promenade Charity Carol Concert on the waterfront; in 2023, an auction dinner and further musical events are planned. The Estate also encourages voluntary guest donations through its in-room guest tablets, which provide informative and educational information on Cornwall Air Ambulance. Additionally, departing guests are invited to include a donation on their bill. A selection of branded merchandise is available from the Estate’s retail outlets, all profits going directly to the Trust.

A programme of community engagement commenced in December 2022 with the Carbis Bay Estate Coastal Christmas Market, Cornwall Air Ambulance being the beneficiary of all proceeds generated by stallholder pitch fees over the four-day period. The market attracted over 50 stalls per day helping to raise £6,021. Thanks to the support of Tristan Bourdeaux, Relationship Director, Lloyds Commercial Banking, an additional £5,500 has been raised under the Lloyds Matched Funding Scheme bringing the total to £11,521.

In September 2023, a fundraising dinner will be hosted on the Estate along with further promotional activities.

Speaking at the announcement, Stephen Baker, Owner and Managing Director of Carbis Bay Estate, said: “As one of the leading hospitality providers in Cornwall we feel obligated to support this vital emergency service to not only the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly community but to all our visitors to the region during peak periods. It is crucial that such services have the funds to continue their work. We have great respect for the team at Cornwall Air Ambulance and are delighted to be able to contribute financially as well as spreading the message of support to our wider guest audience. It is not widely known that Cornwall Air Ambulance is only able to operate due to the generosity of donations from commercial and individual sponsors, lacking Government/NHS funding.”

Tim Bunting, CEO of Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, said: “We are hugely grateful that Carbis Bay Estate have chosen to support Cornwall Air Ambulance with a two-year partnership. It is thanks to the generous support of Carbis Bay, the wider business community, and donors that we are able to carry out our lifesaving missions across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, providing critical care to patients in their time of need. It costs over £5m a year to keep the charity running and we rely on the generosity of the people of Cornwall and beyond to make this happen. Thank you to Carbis Bay Estate for helping us to provide the best possible critical care to our patients, keeping more families together.”

The commitment to support Cornwall Air Ambulance is in addition to the ongoing support for the Estate’s other chosen charities and support groups.