A HAULAGE firm celebrated their 25th anniversary with a birthday bash that raised almost £1,200 for charity.
Sureway Express Transport Ltd recently handed over a cheque for £1,135 to the Great Western Air Ambulance.
The Avonmouth-based firm - a founding member of Palletforce, the UK's leading palletised distribution network - raised the cash through drinks sales at a party to celebrate the anniversary.
Rob Lloyd, Managing Director, said: "We chose the GWAA as it's a locally-based 'frontline' organisation that depends 100 per cent on public donations.
"They have the capability of basically bringing the operating table to the roadside in what they call 'the golden 10 minutes' - this is their average time to respond to an emergency in our region.
"A lot of their calls are road accident related and being in transport you never know when you might need them.
"We have also had them attend our premises and land the helicopter in our yard in order to treat a young member of staff who was having breathing difficulties."
The GWAA responds to medical emergencies with their helicopter, trauma-trained doctor and air paramedic - providing A & E facilities at the scene.
The charity relies entirely on donations to raise the £1.3 million needed per year to operate their service seven days a week across four counties.
Paul Weir, Chief Executive of GWAA, said: "We were delighted to receive the proceeds of Sureway Express Transport's 25th anniversary.
"Clearly as operators of vehicles they appreciate the need for the air ambulance and their support will really help us to keep the aircraft flying and to save lives."
Sureway Express Transport's anniversary was on September 1 and as well as the party - which included entertainment from the Crusader Cheerleaders, who the company is sponsoring - the company celebrated by investing in a special new lorry and trailer in striking blue and silver livery.
Rob Lloyd set up the company aged 21 with just one van, working out of his bedroom in his parent's house making deliveries for the print industry and a company his mother worked for.
The firm is now based at Cabot Park, operates a fleet of 30 vehicles, has 35 staff and is a founding member of Palletforce.