Crucial funds raised at Visit Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival in aid of EAAA

The event, which took place on Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2, was organised by Great Yarmouth Borough Council with funding from Visit Great Yarmouth and additional sponsorship from Wellington Pier.

From motorbikes to trikes and vintage cars to modern supercars, the event's automotive showcases captivated enthusiasts and casual attendees alike. The festival grounds buzzed with excitement as attendees had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a stunning collection of vehicles, appreciating their design, craftsmanship, and historical significance.

Families flocked to the festival to enjoy the wide variety of entertainment options available. The event featured thrilling stunt shows, exhilarating rides and interactive displays, ensuring that visitors of all ages were entertained throughout the weekend.

Attendees were even treated to a special appearance from one of the charities H145 helicopters. The H145 is capable of carrying two flight crew, three clinicians and a patient, whilst providing a considerable increase in cabin space and performance.

Moreover, the Visit Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival achieved its goal of supporting a worthy cause. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and local businesses, nearly £1000 was raised for East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Volunteers from the charity also trained 186 people in CPR and the use of a defibrillator, mostly children and their families. This brings the number of people they've trained to help save lives in East Anglia to over 18,000 between June 2022 and June 2023.

EAAA is a charity providing life-saving critical care 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year by air and road and plays a crucial role in providing emergency medical services to those in need. The festival's contribution will undoubtedly aid in their life-saving efforts.

Luke Abendroth EAAA Community Fundraising Lead (Norfolk) said: "Thank you to everyone involved with the Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival for their support for East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). Our charity provides advanced critical care 24/7 by air and road to patients who have suffered life-threatening incidents or medical emergencies. We receive no regular government funding and rely on public support and donations to save lives."

Luke continues: "EAAA also provides free CPR training as part of our aim to ensure anyone in East Anglia suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has the best chance of receiving effective early CPR from the public or professionals to give them the best chance of survival. We were delighted to train over 180 people at the Wheels Festival in this life-saving skill."

Councillor James Bensly, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Coastal Management at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: "It was heart-warming to see the community come together to support EAAA while enjoying a fantastic weekend of automotive excitement. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the attendees, sponsors, and stewards who made this event possible."

"The Visit Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival not only brought joy to attendees but also contributed to the economic growth of the region. The influx of visitors boosted local businesses, hotels, and restaurants, created a positive impact on the community as a whole."