Bishop blesses a helicopter

THE acting Bishop of Chelmsford has blessed the Essex Air Ambulance helicopter and its crew.

The Right Reverend Dr Laurie Green came to Boreham Airbase, where the helicopter is based, and prayed for the crew and the people they help.

Revd Green said: "This is a special moment. It's not every day that a Bishop has the opportunity to bless a helicopter. But it is very appropriate, because the Air Ambulance does life-saving work.

"Essex Air Ambulance is a charity and it relies on the generosity of people to keep the helicopter in the air. I am thrilled that over the weekend of February 27/28 supporters of The Friends of Essex Churches Trust will team up with the Essex Air Ambulance Trust in the Great Essex Feast to raise funds together."

Essex Air Ambulance and Friends of Essex Churches are together launching the Great Essex Feast - a chance for volunteers to have fun by wining and dining their friends while also raising money for these two local charities.

The concept is really simple: the people of Essex are invited to host simultaneous dinner and lunch parties across the county during the weekend of February 27 and 28. However big or small the party, hosts are asked to wine and dine their guests, provide good food and entertainment of their choosing and request a donation from each person.

Hosts are free to hold whatever type of dinner party they wish, whether it be a fish and chip supper or gourmet dinner. All the funds raised from the weekend will be split equally between Essex Air Ambulance and Friends of Essex Churches Trust.

If you would like to be a Great Essex Feast dinner party host simply visit EssexAirAmbulance.uk.com or call Wendy Byland on 0845 2417 690.

All hosts who register will receive a Great Essex Feast registration pack which includes invitations to send to guests, suggested recipes and cocktail ideas, wine tips and lots more including a free wine tasting evening on January 28.