DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance, which has its headquarters at Chelston, near Wellington, has announced the launch of a ‘Blossoming and Blooming’ Open Gardens initiative.

‘Blossoming and Blooming’ is the charity’s latest fundraising scheme, which asks people to open their gardens to members of the public between June and September this year.

The aim is to bring local communities together, to celebrate the gardens spread across Somerset and Dorset, while raising awareness and funds for the air ambulance. No matter the size of the garden or whether they are pristine or wild, the charity is inviting everyone to get involved.

Whether people decide to simply open their gardens to members of the public, or have a cream tea or barbecue alongside, the initiative provides an opportunity for people to hold a special event within their local community in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

The charity receives no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and relies on the public to help raise its operational costs of more than £5 million a year. Community fundraising initiatives like ‘Blossoming and Blooming’ play a vital role in helping to do this.