• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Wednesday September 3 2025

Airport staff swap wings for pedals to raise air ambulance funds

A team of cyclists from Bristol Airport have successfully completed a gruelling 160-mile bike ride from The Brunel Museum in London to Bristol Airport, raising £87,000 for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC), the airport’s charity partner.

The two-day challenge, held on September 1 and 2, saw employees take on the scenic Great West Way route, riding through countryside and historic towns before crossing the finish line at the Airport.

Bristol Airport’s CEO Dave Lees was among the executive team members and staff that took part.

While riders tackled the physical route, colleagues back at the terminal cycled the equivalent distance on exercise bikes in the departure lounge, with passengers and visitors showing their support along the way.

The funds raised will help GWAAC continue to provide lifesaving care to communities across the South West. GWAAC responds to more than six patients a day on average across its region of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and beyond.

Each one of their missions cost £2,200 and every call out they go to could be the difference between life and death.

Dan Davis, advanced practitioner in critical care at GWAAC, was one of seven participants from the charity.

He said: “Taking part in the fundraising bike ride reminded me of how much you rely on the team around you to keep going.

“It’s the same for us at GWAAC and with my day job as part of the Critical Care Team. We can only be there for people in their worst moments because of support like this. On behalf of all of us, a huge thank you to everyone at Bristol Airport for going the distance for GWAAC.

“This team have raised enough to fund over 36 missions which is incredible.”

Andrew Goodenough, infrastructure director at Bristol Airport, added: “We are incredibly proud of our colleagues and business partners who took part on this challenge and delighted that together we have raised £87,000 for our charity partner, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.

“This amount is our highest ever raised for a charity event at the Airport and every pound raised will help ensure that GWAAC can continue delivering lifesaving care across our region.

“We are grateful to everyone who donated and supported the team. The generosity is a reflection of the community spirit at the Airport and the commitment of our employees.”