Pupils raise funds for rescue service

Every year, pupils at the Bellver International School raise money for a school in Kenya by selling handmade arts and crafts at an annual fair, however this year two pupils, decided to donate their money to a local enterprise. Patrick Gruhn and Rosie Watts, both aged 10, this year raised funds to help Heli-Med, a private emergency helicopter operation in Majorca. The managing director of Heli-Med, Hans-Peter Woelfert was deeply touched by the school children's donation and yesterday Gruhn and Watts handed a cheque for 11.500 pesetas over to Heli-Med pilot Peter Waltner. What moved the children to donate the money raised at the annual fleamarket to the emergency helicopter operation was, primarily, because all the costs of running the service are covered by just one person. Heli-Med was set up in Majorca after its founder lost a very close friend on the island due to the late arrival of an ambulance. Wanting to try and help prevent such a tragedy happening again in Majorca, the Heli-Med rescue service was set up and the two children were given permission by the principal of Bellver to raise funds and help the operation this year. Hans-Peter Woelfert said yesterday that the gesture was “very heart touching” and that the children's “very special initiative” impressed the helicopter operation very much.