AFTER having to land at the doctor’s surgery just a couple of weeks ago, Devon Air Ambulance is soon set to have a proper landing site in Bere Alston, thanks to the hard work and fundraising of the Bere community.

Following an appeal by Devon Air Ambulance Trust for parishes to consider developing flood-lit community night landing sites, Bere Ferrers Parish Council took the initiative on board, formed a sub committee and has been busy fundraising to reach the £8,000 target needed for the installation of remotely operated floodlights at the designated site on the Bere Alston recreation ground.

Parish councillor Brian Lamb said: ‘The parish council decided to support the initiative and decided on the recreation ground as the most suitable place. We formed a sub committee called the Air Ambulance Project group, of which I am chair, and we have got to raise around £8,000 for the installation and the future maintenance of the equipment. We are getting very close to our target now.

‘The response we have had from the parish and local organisations has been overwhelming.’

The community has really got on board to help with fundraising, with the Tavy Tars singing group holding a concert where they were collecting money for the project, Bere Ferrers Social Club held a quiz night, contributions came from the Tamar Apple Group, West View Residential Home and a number of individuals and on Friday and Saturday (January 13 and 14), The Plough Inn in Bere Ferrers will be holding a 24 hour music-a-thon in aid of the project.

Planning permission has had to be sought before the installation can take place, but the parish council hoped to hear the outcome this week.

Cllr Lamb said: ‘Lots of groups and individuals have contributed to the cause as well as Ben Harris from Bere Alston who has set up a crowdfunding website and has raised nearly £500. It makes you really humble to see how people have responded to this.

‘We also received a grant from West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council thanks to Cllr Philip Sanders, our local councillor.

‘The contractors have been sorted and we’re just waiting to hear the planning decision. Once we get the go ahead we hope to start the work.’

Brian said the air ambulance landed in the parish five times in 2016, including most recently at the doctor’s surgery two weeks ago.

‘We are an isolated peninsula — there are only two roads in and out and the Denham Bridge road is very difficult to use, so this project is really going to benefit the community. Many people don’t realise that it’s not just an ambulance but a minor trauma treatment service so they can start to treat people on scene.

‘We really appreciate the support of the parish councillors, without their support we wouldn’t have been able to do this. And thank you to everyone for all the contributions that have been made.’

Toby Russell, from Devon Air Ambulance Trust, said: ‘Since our first meeting last summer, we have been working closely with Bere Ferrers Parish Council to develop a night landing site for the Bere Peninsula. That work quickly identified that the playing field in Bere Alston would make a good site, with the actual landing area being located next to the football pitch. A new 10m lighting column with two LED lights would need to be installed along with a remote switching system to operate the lights which means we don’t need to disturb anyone in the event of an emergency.

‘I recently attended a public meeting to talk through the development of a night landing site at the playing field and there was lots of positive feedback from members of the local community, with a number of people making donations towards the funding for the landing site lighting at the event.

‘Our thanks to Brian Lamb and the other local councillors for their support with the project and we look forward to letting people know when the community landing site is ready for night operations.’

40 acts acts will be taking to the stage at the fundraising music-a-thon at The Plough Inn in Bere Ferrers, starting at 7pm on Friday.

Organised by Ben Harris, the free event will include music from the likes of Mad Dog Mcrea, Geoff Lakeman, Alice Gullick, Tom Baker and TV and radio presenter’s Chris Evans’ favourite band — The Sound of the Sirens.

All the acts are from Devon and Cornwall, with the exception of the bouzouki player accompanying Geoff Lakeman and are giving their time free of charge for the cause.

Ben hopes to raise money from the raffle of 24 prizes — there will be a draw made every hour — and prizes include half a lamb and theatre tickets. A guitar, signed by all 40 performers, will be auctioned off at the end of the event.

Ben, who occasionally drives for Mad Dog Mcrea and also helps to book acts for Rumleigh Farm, just oustide Bere Alston, is excited: ‘Where else would you see 40 acts in 24-hours, I think it is going to be brilliant,’ he said.

Envy of Angels, Suzie Mac, Justine Prior, Calvin Thomas and Chris Bailey will also be playing at the music-a-thon. Don’t miss it!