STAFF at Hereford based Hoople Ltd have voted to support Midlands Air Ambulance as their 2015 charity of the year.

Since Hoople’s foundation in 2011, the company has been keen to help local charities and to do so it supports a group of staff volunteers to work together as ‘Hoople Buddies’, organising events and fundraising activities for their chosen charity.

The Midlands Air Ambulance charity will supersede St Michael’s Hospice as the charity of the year and for which Hoople Buddies were successful in raising more than £20,000 over the past two years.

Stephen Biggs, Hoople’s interim chief executive, said: “As one of Hereford’s larger employers, we are keen to give something back to our local community. Midlands Air Ambulance is an excellent charity that receives no Government or National Lottery funding.

"I’m delighted that our staff have voted to support this very worthwhile charity and look forward to hearing more about the Hoople Buddies’ fundraising plans.”

Sofia Voutianitis, corporate fundraising manager from Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “A fifth of all our air ambulance missions are carried out across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, so it is terrific to have the support from leading Hereford-based company Hoople Ltd.

"We will work closely with the staff in creating fun and engaging fundraising activities and are already looking forward to the Valentine’s quiz, which will help raise vital funds to keep our service in operation.”

The first fundraising event in the Hoople Buddies' calendar is a Valentine’s quiz being held at Hereford Welsh Club tomorrow (Friday February 13).

Tickets are on sale now at £2 per person, with a maximum of eight people being allowed in each team. For further information, contact at hoople.buddies@hoopleltd.co.uk