THE CHIEF of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has thanked the charity’s volunteers for all their hard work, dedication and support in aid of the charity, as he prepares to retire on June 21.

Bill Sivewright told a gathering of volunteers how grateful he was for their support, and talked about how valued a resource the volunteers are, in enabling the charity to do what they do.

He said: “You are the eyes and the ears of the charity within the community.

“That is what gives us the community feel, because it comes from you, our wonderful volunteers. Some of you have been with us a very long time, even before me.

“You played an important part of showing me how volunteers supported the charity in so many ways, during my early days at the charity and for that I am really grateful.”

Bill became CEO in 2010.

Over the past 11 and a half years at the helm, the capabilities of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance have increased and the range of clinical care provided to the population of the area has been transformed, through working collaboratively with regional health networks and within the clinical governance of the NHS.

Bill (pictured) was thanked for giving his time, expertise and passion to the development of the service.