To mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is displaying the Poppy of Remembrance on their AW169 helicopter and Critical Care Car over the centenary period.

This year marks the 100^th year since the end of the First World War, in which millions of service personnel were seriously injured, wounded or sadly lost their lives. As part of the anniversary, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Volunteers were proud to represent the Charity at a Poppy of Honour Event which was held in Wincanton on Saturday 6^th October.

The commemorative event was well-attended and saw an eight-foot steel and glass Poppy-shaped sculpture, proudly unveiled in dedication to those who were killed or declared missing in action. The Poppy monument is the brainchild of Terry Williams. Along with his dedicated team, more than 250,000 helpers gave up their time to handwrite over 1 million red poppies with the names, ranks and dates of each of the service personnel who were lost in the First World War.

South Western Ambulance Service Paramedic Serena Mees volunteered many hours towards the Poppy of Honour, as well as working with paramedic colleague Luke Treharne to arrange and donate the poppy decals which now appear on the Charity’s aircraft and response car, as well as SWASFT ambulances across Somerset.

Bill Sivewright, Chief Executive Officer said: “The Poppy in an enduring symbol of those who made sacrifices for the benefit of others. It seems wholly appropriate that at this time of year and on this particular year, 100 years after the end of the First World War, that we support this initiative.”

The Poppy of Honour team visited the Charity’s airbase in Henstridge to mark the occasion and unveil the poppy which sits poignantly next to the aircraft’s name, ‘Pegasus’.