Dorset farm puts on Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience
Farmer Anne Roots is raising money for the air ambulance.
A farmer in Dorset's created a Christmas illuminated walking trail to say thank you to the air ambulance crew who saved her life.
Anne Roots owns Nutley Farm near Winfrith Newburgh and says she might not have survived an accident involving a horse and cart had it not been for the Air Ambulance.
Now, the woods around the farm are being turned into a Christmas experience.
Visitors to the Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience can support the cause by entering a raffle with all proceeds going to the charity. First prize is a weekend stay for two adults and two children at a four-star holiday cottage on Nutley Farm.
Anne was rescued from her home by the Air Ambulance in 2015 after her horse and carriage overturned, having been spooked by farm machinery. She described the accident like being put though a giant “washing machine.”
“It was terrifying and my life flashed before my eyes. One moment I was having a nice time and the next, I was under the carriage and being trampled into the muck heap. The Air Ambulance was exceptional and without their work, I might not have survived to tell the tale. I want to help raise as much as possible for them as a thank you.”
The month-long light show starts today and gives you the chance to walk through beautifully lit woodland, as well as meeting Rudolph and Prancer, the farms resident reindeer.
Each time the Air Ambulance deploys costs the charity around £3,000.
Lara Battersby, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Communications Officer said:
“This year, we anticipated marking our 20th anniversary with a number of key events and activities. Many of our supporters also had plans to raise funds and awareness of our life-saving work but unfortunately, most of these were cancelled or put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“However, it is with thanks to the incredible support and generosity of the public, that we have been able to continue providing pre-hospital critical care for our patients, for 19 hours per day throughout the pandemic. With no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery, we rely on the public to help us raise our operational costs of over £5 million a year; each life-saving mission costs approximately £3,000.
“It is so humbling to know that people like Anne are trying to do all that they can to raise funds for the charity, especially during these difficult times. A big thank you from everyone at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for the amazing support and we wish everyone involved, a fantastic event.”