THE family and friends of a man who died in a roofing accident have been recognised for their efforts to raise money for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC).
Holly Sheehan, of Keynsham, and fellow supporters were finalists in the charity volunteers of the year category at the Air Ambulances UK 2025 Awards of Excellence.
An air ambulance crew arrived on the scene after Luke Allen’s workplace accident in 2018, but despite their efforts they were unable to save him.
Since then, his sister Holly, her family, and friends of Luke have been raising money for GWAAC. Luke would have turned 30 last year, so the supporters wanted to mark his birthday by raising £30,000. They smashed this goal, having raised £40,000 in total so far, with friends of Luke completing a run from Westminster to Keynsham in March last year.
One of the runners was Aaron Close, 27, of Keynsham, who described himself as “inseparable” from his childhood friend Luke.
Aaron was joined on the 150-mile run by friends Robbie Dury and Joel Milhofer, and they were greeted by well-wishers as they crossed the finish line at the New Inn at Keynsham.
While training for the run, he told the Voice: “The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity is such a vital service, and yet they receive no day-to-day funding from the Government or National Lottery.”
He said he wanted to raise as much money as possible in honour of Luke and to support anyone who needs GWAAC’s help in the future.
Luke’s sister Holly has been leading much of the fundraising, and GWAAC said she had shown incredible resilience and drive in the face of such profound loss.
Although she and Luke’s other supporters just missed out on a win against competition from 10 others in their category, GWAAC said that being a finalist was “a wonderful recognition of their exceptional contribution.”
Ian Cantoni, head of fundraising at GWAAC, said: “Though we were never lucky enough to know Luke, his sister Holly’s work has brought his memory to life and makes us feel as if we do.
“His legacy is a powerful story of grief transformed into action, led with true dedication by Holly.
“I can think of few people more deserving than Holly, her family, and friends to receive recognition in the Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence 2025.”
Holly cut the ribbon at the opening of the new GWAAC charity shop in Keynsham High Street in 2024.
Pictured above, Holly Sheehan with her brother Luke Allen.
Below, Aaron Close (centre) and his co-runners at the New Inn, Keynsham Runners photo: Jekyll Photography
