Race ace Plato helps air ambulance take off

Top racing driver Jason Plato is coming to Thruxton Race Circuit in Hampshire later this month.

But rather than racing round the fastest circuit in the UK, where he has enjoyed many a dice with British Touring Car Championship drivers, Jason will be there with a SEAT Leon Touring Car, in which he currently leads the 2007 championship, to raise awareness of Hampshire’s newest emergency service.

A family fun day is being held at Thruxton on Tuesday, August 21, to help raise funds for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which first took off on July 1 this year and flew 35 missions in its first fortnight.

The day will include the The Parachute Regiment Freefall Team – The Red Devils – dropping in for lunch at 1 p.m., just after a display by the Blue Eagles helicopter team based at Middle Wallop, just a short helicopter hop south from Thruxton.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue will be giving two demonstrations of vehicle extrication and the fire, ambulance, and police services will all have static displays during the day, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fast Helicopters will be giving pleasure flights at £30 a time, with a substantial donation going to air ambulance funds, while driving enthusiasts will be able to take to the circuit in a team of Mazda sports cars or enjoy a more sedate, but just as exciting, trip round a dedicated 4x4 circuit at special rates. Damon Scott and Bubbles, from popular ITV show Britain’s Got Talent, will also be there to meet fans.

“I’m only too happy to support such an excellent cause,” said Jason Plato. “All racing drivers know just how important it is to have expert medical help available as quickly as possible. It literally saves lives.”

“To many people, Thruxton is all about racing although increasingly I hope that in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight it will also be significant for the air ambulance,” said event organiser Julie Williams.

“I’d like to thank Jason and SEAT for making the time in a hectic race and practice schedule to come to our day and also everyone else who has got involved in making it a big attraction.

“There will be something for everyone including children’s rides and entertainment, live music, and refreshments - and best of all it’s free, so people can just turn up without the need for a ticket.

“Parents looking for another place to go during the school holidays should enjoy this day out, and so will their kids. It’s easy to find directly off the A303 to the west of Andover and there’s plenty of free parking. Coaches are running from Portsmouth and Southsea, Southampton, and Winchester railway stations by Lucketts Coaches. To book call 0845 3890644 quoting the air ambulance charity day.

“People hardly ever think of the emergency services until they need their help. But raising funds for the air ambulance is essential as it gets no financial backing from any source other than voluntary donations.

“It costs in excess of £65,000 per month to run this vital service and the air ambulance can reach anywhere in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 20 minutes of receiving an emergency 999 call. Most common causes of call-outs so far have been traffic accidents and horse riding incidents.

“More details about the day can be obtained from our hotline on 0870 1624872. If we can make a success of the day it will give our funds a real lift.”