Middlewick House event raises record sums

A record total of over £123,000 has been raised for essential Wiltshire charities from the annual Middlewick House Open Garden event.

Thursday, 13 June 2024

A mascot with their thumbs up in front of Middlewick House

Over 11,000 people visited the stunning home of Nick and Annette Mason over the weekend of 8-9 June to support Wiltshire Air Ambulance and The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust.

The annual Open Garden event is now thought to be the biggest fundraiser in the county, with both charities receiving over £61,000 each – a 38% increase from last year’s event

Visitors to the picturesque surroundings were able to walk around the stunning walled garden, browse over 60 stalls from local traders, as well as enjoying something to eat and drink from the BBQ and café.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick was on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures, as well as displaying his incredible collection of sports cars. Local car clubs bolstered the number of sports vehicles on site, including Jaguar, Lotus, Ferrari, and Porsche.

Children played games in the garden, enjoying inflatable slides and the bouncy castle, as well as waving to Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s helicopter as it circled overhead.

Jennie Shaw, director of The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, said: “This is the perfect example of charities working in partnership to raise funds which directly benefit the local community.

“We are so thankful for the support of the residents in Pickwick and Middlewick Lane because without their understanding, this event would not happen.

“On site the staff at Middlewick House were tremendous once more, as they have been over the last 12 years as the event has grown and grown.

“Finally, I want to thank our main sponsor Grist Environmental, as well as Toby Haynes Family Butchers in Corsham, KFR Devizes, Wiltshire Farm Foods, Bakkavor and the local supermarkets for all donating to the event.”

Wiltshire Air Ambulance deputy chief executive Barbara Gray said: “Once again, we are so grateful to Nick and Annette for opening their home to the public to help raise vital funds for two essential local charities.

“We are also indebted to the many staff and volunteers from the two charities, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to make the event such a huge success.”

Barbara Gray

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9-15 September

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An aerial photo of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance airbase featuring the Bell-429 helicopter landing on its helipad.