STAFF at Thamesdown Transport have raised £1,000 to help keep the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in the skies.

Over the past year drivers have had the opportunity to raise money for charity and win a little for themselves too by playing the Bonus Ball game.

The game is organised by drivers Tony Hibbert and Dave Hall. To enter, each member pays £1 and chooses a number, with the winner being the person who has chosen the number that appears in Saturday’s National Lottery.

The weekly prize, which totals up to £49, is then split between the winner and the air ambulance. Players also regularly choose to play on behalf of the charity, which results in the air ambulance receiving all the prize money should that number appear. If numbers 50 – 59 are selected then the monies rollover for the next week.

This is now the second year that money has been raised for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, with the Bonus Ball game raising £600 last year plus further fundraising taking the total to £1,200. It is one close to the hearts Thamesdown bus drivers – due to the vital help and care they provide in the county.

Driver Tony Hibbert, who looks after the game, said: “Raising this amount is all thanks to the staff who get involved with the game each week. The drivers are keen to get behind the air ambulance as we’ve seen just how valuable their life-saving service is and want to give all the support we can to help ensure it continues.

“We were keen to continue raising money for them and beat last year’s figure too.”

Kenresa Stratford, fundraising coordinator at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We’re so grateful for the support of Thamesdown Transport for a second year running. It’s brilliant that they have worked so hard and have managed to beat last year’s total.

“They should feel proud for doing such a sterling job. Thanks to the support of the staff at Thamesdown, we are able to continue to keep flying and saving lives.”