A DIAMOND group in Cirencester is pulling out all the stops with a red carpet event to raise tens of thousands of pounds for a charity close to local hearts.

This September, the Beeches Community group is hosting a James Bond-themed dinner and auction night as part of a series of fundraising events for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.

Based at the historic Ingleside House, the event will be just yards away from the bridge which a young Cirencester couple careered off and crashed on to the A429 dual carriageway below in July last year.

Within minutes an air ambulance was on site and transported 26-year-old Robert Massey to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, where he later died from multiple injuries.

Robert’s fiancée Hayley McGrath, 26, survived the crash with spinal injuries, for which she underwent surgery at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.

The crash shocked the Beeches community to its core and was a reminder of the incomparable service provided by the air ambulance charity to offer the best chance of survival in extreme circumstances.

Janet Broomfield, who is helping to organise the event, said: "The difference they make is literally life or death. It’s a very worthy cause."

Despite the merger this week of the Great Western Ambulance Service and the South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust, GWAAC is continuing to operate as normal.

The charity, which costs £1.5m each year to stay airborne, is completely reliant on donations.

John Christensen, chief executive of GWAAC, said: "It is crucial that the public continue to support our cause, especially as we are trying to raise an extra £250,000 to fund a new helicopter, which will directly benefit the 2.1m people that we serve."

Now the Beeches community group are looking for sponsorship and auction prizes to help raise £30,000 towards the charity’s new helicopter at their fundraising evening.

Along with dinner and auction prizes, the stylish white tie event on September 28 also promises plenty of casino fun, glamorous performers and late-night dancing.

Tickets cost £100 per person.

  • For more information, to book a place, or to offer a prize, email Janet at janetbroomfield@talktalk.net