From L-R: Charles Smyth-Osborne MFH, Karen Hughes-Community Fundraising Executive of WNAA, Greg Steele-Chairman of Grafton Hunt Supporters Association (GHSA), Jill Field-Secretary of the GHSA and David Seels-Grafton huntsman.

On Sunday 18 May, at their recent point-to-point, a cheque was presented by supporters of the Grafton Hunt to the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA). The hunt has been praised for its huge fundraising effort, with a total of £9,400 raised following a nasty fall sustained last season by their senior master, Charles Smyth-Osborne.

The majority of the funds raised were thanks to the huge efforts of Charles’ son William, who decided to take on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge on 3 May 2025. This challenge is a continuous round the island run totalling a whopping 108km, to be completed in one day. William’s fundraising efforts drew in £8,400.

The remaining £1,000 was raised by the Grafton Hunt Supporters Association at the Boxing Day meet in 2024. This is the second year running that they have donated this amount from fundraising on Boxing Day.

Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting commented: “This is a wonderful example of how the hunting community pulls together in times of adversity to turn a negative into a positive. By recognising the incredible efforts made by the air ambulance and working together, they have been able to give something meaningful back which will no doubt benefit others in the future.”

The WNAA operates and funds two helicopters across five counties in the UK. In addition to the two helicopters, they also operate two Critical Care Rapid Response Vehicles. It receives no government funding and is required to raise over £16 million annually to operate its fleet, with each mission being around £3,600. In 2024 they completed 3,975 missions.

The family have been unfortunate to have needed the services of WNAA on more than one occasion. William commented: “My father was injured in a horse-riding accident before Christmas. I have no doubt that if it wasn’t for the skill, professionalism, speed and simply the existence of the lifesaving charity that the outcome could’ve been different for him.”

Speaking after his fundraising event, William said: “There were points where everything hurt – my legs, my feet, even my back – and I wasn’t sure if I could keep going. But I kept thinking of Dad, and of how quickly the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) got to him that day.”

Charles Smyth-Osborne MFH also commented on the incident: “Although I have no memory of the incident, those who were there have told me how serious it was. I count myself incredibly lucky to have made a full recovery, and I have no doubt that the swift response to the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance played a crucial role in that outcome.”