Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance are celebrating following a donation of £2,600 raised at commercial property specialist, Summerfield’s annual charity boules tournament, in which 40 teams from businesses across Somerset competed.
The annual event, now in its fifth year, was held at Woodlands Castle, Taunton and teams from a variety of businesses took the opportunity to dress up and enjoy the day to the full. Teams of Mexicans, mime artists and Hawaiians joined Summerfield on a chilly September afternoon to showcase their fancy dress and Boules skills while networking and raising money for the charity.
Setsquare Recruitment attended the tournament for the first time with two teams who both managed to reach the final. However, the seniors were beaten by the younger generation 0-7 and Setsquare One took the coveted prize.
Ben Trickey, Summerfield’s divisional director and organiser of the event, was impressed by this year’s turn out; “The Boules tournament has yet again raised a great amount for charity, thanks to all the businesses who took part. This year was highly competitive with two teams from the same business in the final which really added some extra competition to the day. We are delighted the event went so well and are already planning next year’s big tournament – we’ll have to start training for a win!”
Debbie Birtwisle, fundraising co-ordinator for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, attended the day and gave a fact-packed and interesting presentation on the operation of the air ambulance. Debbie said of the donation, “Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance relies on donations like this to keep flying. Our operational costs are over £2 million a year and the approximate cost per mission equates to £2,500. We are so grateful to Summerfield for choosing us as their charity for this year’s event which help fund one of those life-saving missions.”
The fancy dress prize went to Ashfords B team, with their French mime artiste costumes. Special mentions also go to the Mexicans from Davies Holdings ‘Davies Sports’, the Unstoppa-boules onion ladies from Porter Dodson and the Hawaiian-inspired Rule Brettania team from Peter Brett Associates.
The Plate was won by Taunton Deane Borough Council and the Wooden Spoon went to Foot Anstey.
