A CHARITY president from the Daventry area has raised £25,550 to help vulnerable people across Northamptonshire.
Lady Ellwood, from Church Stowe, has been president of the British Red Cross in Northamptonshire for 12 months.
She and her team called on the support of their friends to organise a series of successful fundraising events. They opened their gardens to the public, organised concerts, lunches, tea parties and bridge drives to raise money for a new Land Rover.
The Land Rover Defender will be used in emergencies across Northamptonshire and surrounding counties – particularly in hard-to-reach places or when severe weather strikes – to help health workers reach patients.
Lady Ellwood said: “This new Land Rover will help our team of excellent volunteers to save lives and assist the most vulnerable people in our community.
“This kind of work is crucial to help protect our community in Northamptonshire, so I’m delighted we managed to raise the money.
“We couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone who helped to organise the events over the last year; and of course those who attended and donated.
“There was a huge range of events, including a Royal wedding celebration in Church Stowe last April, two operas with picnics at Courteenhall Estate in July and a talent night in Boughton in October.
“I’d like to thank everyone who gave money to this vital appeal.”
The Land Rover Defender is equipped with a defibrillator, hygiene packs, hi-tech blankets, and all-weather clothing.
Tomorrow (Friday) Lady Ellwood and her team will be launching an appeal to raise £34,000 to buy a new fire and emergency support service (FESS) vehicle to replace the outdated one used in Northamptonshire.
This specially-adapted vehicle will be used by existing volunteers to support families and individuals who suffer damage to their homes following a fire, flood or similar incident.