TWENTY five years of Lye’s Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was celebrated at a garden party with special royal guest Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Her royal highness was guest of honour at the charity’s official ‘Air25’ anniversary party at Hagley Hall on Friday (May 20), which marked two-and-a-half decades of life-saving work.

The Countess of Wessex accepted the invitation to unveil a commemorative sundial after learning of MAAC’s important work in the region, and upon learning that the organisation has undertaken over 46,000 missions since its conception as ‘Air5’ in 1991.

Signifying the charity’s purpose – ‘Saving Lives by Saving Time’ – the sundial will be positioned in the grounds of Hagley Hall, with consent from Lord Cobham, the location where the charity officially launched on May 21, 1991.

During her speech at the event, the countess attested to the work of the charity revealing that she had herself been airlifted by an air ambulance and understood first-hand the valuable work of the service.

Brendan Connor, chairman for MAAC, said: “Twenty-five years ago a revolutionary air ambulance charity was founded in the Midlands – only the second of its kind in the country.

“In the last 25 years without the support of the communities we serve, we simply could not have raised the ever increasing operational costs to fund our vitally important work, and despite the challenging economy, they have never wavered in their support for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

“We were delighted to welcome her royal highness to our official anniversary. Our garden party was a celebration of all that effort and service, and in particular, a recognition of those who have made the last 25 years possible.”

Guests, including the charity’s celebrity ambassadors, volunteers, fundraisers, aircrew, staff, trustees and local dignitaries, were treated to a quintessential English afternoon tea and given the chance to see the organisation’s three air ambulance helicopters which flew in especially to mark the occasion.

For more information about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity call 0800 840 2040, or visit www.midlandsairambulance.com