Coutts has exceeded its annual target of raising £50,000 for this year’s chosen charity, London’s Air Ambulance. Coutts’ Products, Services & Marketing team dug deep to raise more than double last year’s charity donation, culminating in a grand total of £51,705.60. Numerous fundraising activities were organised throughout the last twelve months, including comedy nights, a sponsored abseil and a 10k run. Other activities organised included a silent auction; a wine tasting evening; a treasure hunt around London; a squash tournament and a raffle. London’s Air Ambulance is the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to over 2,000 critically injured people in London each year.

Mark Evans, Head of Coutts Institute, commented: “Philanthropy is one of Coutts’ core values, and is at the heart of many things we do. From advising clients on their philanthropic strategies, hosting regular forums on philanthropy, setting up trusts for clients, though to our own fundraising projects and by supporting good causes, such as London’s Air Ambulance. We are proud to have exceeded the fundraising goal set at the start of the year for this vital charity, which relies upon donations from the public as a means to carry on. Knowing that every £1,000 we raised could make the difference between someone surviving a horrendous accident or attack was enough to make us achieve the ambitious target. Raising this amount is a tribute to the resourcefulness of vast numbers of busy people across Coutts.”

Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer of London’s Air Ambulance, said: “On behalf of our patients, London’s Air Ambulance would like to thank Coutts for partnering with us as their chosen charity in 2012. The level of employee engagement within Coutts was a pleasure to witness, and it was clear from the outset of the partnership that everyone within Coutts was completely aligned to our mission. Their employees worked tirelessly to help us exceed what was an ambitious fundraising target of £50,000, and like all of our committed supporters, each and every one of them plays an integral role in allowing us to continue delivering advanced trauma care to those that need it and ultimately, to help us save more lives across London.”

Boris Johnson, The Mayor of London, said: “It’s wonderful to see one of London’s most recognised firms embracing the spirit of philanthropy. The much-needed funds they have raised will go a long way in helping the London Air Ambulance save lives, and I very much hope the capital’s big employers are inspired to follow this lead and back charitable causes in 2013.”