Cornwall Air Ambulance has welcomed a new Chief Executive Officer, Tim Bunting. Tim brings a wealth of experience with him, having previously worked for BBC Children in Need and held senior fundraising roles in the South West.

In his first week in the job, Tim sat down to answer some questions about the role, his motivations and future vision for the charity.

What made you want to work for Cornwall Air Ambulance?

Simple really, I have seen extended family and friends directly benefit from the support the air ambulance provides. The service is so tangible and effective that when the opportunity arose, I really wanted to get involved and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work here.

What are you most looking forward to about the role?

The people. Cornwall Air Ambulance is such an important charity for the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – and we would not exist without the support of so many, whether trustees, staff, volunteers or fundraisers. The opportunity to work alongside them is what I really look forward to.

Why is charity work and Cornwall Air Ambulance, in particular, important to you?

Charity gives people a purpose, a challenge, a goal and brings people together in such a positive way. Whether that’s through volunteering, fundraising or taking a keen interest. It is all about seeing the positive difference people can and do make to society through charities – from the very tangible support to people that Cornwall Air Ambulance provides, or the longer term benefits of, say, an environmental charity campaign or the mental health counselling service for children and young people.

How do you see the future of Cornwall Air Ambulance?

We are in a fortunate position to have such great support from the people of Cornwall, but we cannot take this for granted and we need to innovate in our fundraising, as it has evolved dramatically over the past 18 months. As an organisation, continuous improvement and development is extremely important as ultimately we need to ensure we are able to help when needed and save lives across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

What is your proudest moment to date?

At the start of the pandemic, BBC Children in Need partnered with Comic Relief on ‘The Big Night In’. Leading a team that (virtually) came together to create an appeal in three weeks (that would normally take six months) with the result raising millions of pounds to help thousands of people across the UK – it was a very proud moment for me.

When you aren’t working, what would we find you doing in your spare time?

Mostly supporting my son (George) and daughter (Martha’s) football teams! However when time, training and matches allow, as a family we love visiting different parts of Cornwall – we always find somewhere new to explore.

What do you love most about Cornwall?

There is so much I love about Cornwall (and the Isles of Scilly!). Obviously the beauty and diversity of the landscape is foremost in mind, but I also think the sense of community and togetherness is stronger than anywhere else. I feel very fortunate to call Cornwall home.