Chestnuts Primary School raises enough for two air ambulance missions following life-saving support for staff member

The campaign began after staff member Rachel Graham received life-saving care from Thames Valley Air Ambulance following a serious car accident in Haversham. Grateful for the support Rachel received before being airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital, the school set out to raise enough money to fund one mission. With each deployment costing around £3,950, pupils, staff, families and local residents quickly exceeded the target.

Coordinated by teachers Katie Robins and Jo Burton, the year-long campaign featured a variety of events, many suggested by pupils. Activities included bingo, a Taskmaster competition, line dancing, quizzes, a Traitors-themed event, cake sales, raffles, Christmas carol singing, a cereal domino challenge, a pupil-produced joke book and a popular fancy-dress fun run. A family photography fundraiser and donations through a dedicated JustGiving page also helped boost the total.

To recognise the achievement, Nigel Newman visited the school to deliver a special assembly, explaining how the charity operates and demonstrating equipment used by air ambulance crews. Pupils learned that the service provides advanced critical care across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, with highly trained pilots, doctors and paramedics responding by helicopter or rapid response vehicle, depending on the patient’s needs and the circumstances of the incident. They also discovered that crews can reach patients across Buckinghamshire in around 15 minutes.

Katie Robins said:

“Following Rachel’s accident, we wanted to give something back to the charity that helped her when she needed it most. We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by pupils, staff, families and the wider community. To raise enough money to fund the equivalent of two air ambulance missions is an incredible achievement, and we are so proud of what our school community has accomplished.”

An assembly visit today by Thames Valley Air Ambulance volunteer Nigel Newman provided a fitting conclusion to the school’s year-long fundraising campaign. The session gave pupils the opportunity to learn more about the charity’s life-saving work and see firsthand how their efforts will help support patients across the region. Chestnuts Primary School thanked everyone who donated, attended events, supported the JustGiving page or contributed in any way to the campaign, helping raise enough to fund the equivalent of two emergency air ambulance missions.