Willmott & Lake Charity Quiz Night: Raising Funds for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

A Night to Remember: Supporting Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

On the 21st of November, the Willmott & Lake team hosted our first-ever Charity Quiz Night at The Belgian Brewer – and what an incredible evening it was! The event brought together local businesses and community members to raise vital funds for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT), a charity that holds deep personal significance for us.

A Personal Connection

In July 2023, our director, Jack Willmott, experienced first-hand the life-saving work of EHAAT when his brother, Charlie, was involved in a serious head-on collision while traveling with his two young children. Charlie had lost a significant amount of blood, and his oxygen levels were dangerously low, putting him at risk of brain damage. The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance team acted swiftly, stabilising Charlie at the scene and putting him into a coma before he was transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where he spent several weeks in recovery.

Jack’s recent visit to the North Weald airbase gave him the chance to meet Lisa Burrell, the paramedic who stayed by Charlie’s side that day, and reinforced his family’s deep gratitude for the work EHAAT does daily.

Event Highlights

The venue was absolutely buzzing, completely sold out with an amazing turnout from local businesses and supporters alike. We were blown away by the generosity of our community, with 38 incredible raffle prizes donated by businesses from Bishop’s Stortford and the surrounding areas. These prizes added to the fun and excitement of the evening while helping to boost our fundraising total.

A huge thank you to The Bishop's Stortford Independent, Nockolds, Cunningtons LLP, Accounts & Tax Made Easy, King Street Images, Utility Warehouse, Kate Weaver from Legacy Financial Consultants, and many more for their support and participation.

Congratulations to our quiz champions, The Bishop's Stortford Independent, who not only walked away with the title but also kindly donated their £100 winnings back to the pot.

The Impact

The evening raised an incredible £1,600, which will go directly to helping EHAAT continue their life-saving work.

Here’s why their work is so vital:

• Monthly operational costs: £1,000,000
• Average cost per mission: £2,800
• Patients treated in 2023: 1,904

EHAAT provides pre-hospital critical care that often makes the difference between life and death. Unlike NHS emergency services, EHAAT is a charity and relies entirely on donations and fundraising to remain operational.

Thank You

We couldn’t be prouder to support such a vital organisation. The success of the night was a true testament to the generosity and spirit of our local community.

Thank you to everyone who came, donated, and contributed to this unforgettable evening. Your support ensures that EHAAT can continue saving lives across Essex and Hertfordshire.

Until next time – The Willmott & Lake Team ❤️