Sir Michael Parkinson visits Cornwall Air Ambulance
Iconic talk show host Sir Michael Parkinson helped celebrate Cornwall Air Ambulance’s 30th anniversary by supporting an auction which raised more than £34,000 for the charity.
The star, famed for celebrity interviews with the likes of Muhammed Ali, John Lennon and Peter Sellers, dropped by the Newquay airbase with his wife Lady Mary to find out more about the charity, meet the crew and tour the helicopters.
During his visit to Cornwall Air Ambulance headquarters, Sir Michael and Lady Mary were escorted by charity Chairman Sarah Pryce. They also met with trustees and staff, as well as former airlifted patient Juliet Bray who broke her back during a horse riding accident.
Mrs Pryce said: “It was an honour to show Sir Michael and Lady Mary around the Cornwall Air Ambulance headquarters. They were very good company and had a thoroughly enjoyable time meeting the people involved in the charity and being shown the helicopter by the crew.
Sir Michael travelled to Cornwall to be guest of honour at a charity auction held at the Idle Rocks Hotel in St Mawes in June. The event was organised by the celebrity’s friend and Cornwall resident John Casson. It featured a selection of sought after items for sale, including a Tricorn hat worn by the actor Aidan Turner in Poldark which fetched more than £2,000.
Mr Casson said: “I needed a celebrity speaker to attract interest in the event and Cornwall Air Ambulance. As you can imagine, having the popular Sir Michael attend attracted a lot of interest and there was a stampede for tickets.
“It was very kind and very typical of Sir Michael to come down in his own time and help me out when he is so busy. He is a good friend.”
Mrs Pryce said “We’re so grateful to Sir Michael, Lady Mary, John Casson and everyone else involved in the auction that raised so much money for Cornwall Air Ambulance. As a charity we rely on donations and support from the public to keep the air ambulance flying so events like these really do help save lives.”
