Two charities have been given official status at the 2017 Royal Cornwall Show.

Cornwall Air Ambulance and the Alzheimer’s Society have welcomed the decision, which gives them the exclusive right to make charitable collections during Cornwall’s largest annual event this year.

It is a particularly special year for the Cornwall Air Ambulance as it celebrates 30 years saving lives in Cornwall.

Given the county’s isolated beaches, rural settlements and challenging road networks, Cornwall Air Ambulance is considered a lifeline by residents and visitors alike. 700 lifesaving missions are completed each year throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Susie Croft, Cornwall Air Ambulance’s Head of Income Generation, said:

“We rely on the generosity and support of the people of Cornwall to keep the air ambulance flying, so we are absolutely delighted to have been chosen. As well as being able to fundraise at the event, we’ll also have the opportunity to meet the many thousands of show-goers and tell them about the work of the air ambulance, its crew and our many volunteers. Cornwall Air Ambulance and the Royal Cornwall Show are two of the great institutions of our county and we very much look forward to working together.”

Dementia can happen to anyone and there's currently no cure. With more than 850,000 people with dementia in the UK and numbers set to top one million by 2021, the Alzheimer’s Society provides a wide range of help and support to sufferers and their families.

Dania Shaw, Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser for Cornwall said:

“We are absolutely delighted that the Royal Cornwall Show has chosen Alzheimer’s Society as one of their charity partners for 2017. As a charity we rely on the generosity of groups and individuals to help us continue our vital work so that we can continue leading the fight against dementia.

“Thanks to the fundraising efforts of this year’s Royal Cornwall Show we will be able to help people with dementia to live well and fund research to find a cure. We also hope that by having a presence at this year’s show we can help to raise awareness of dementia, especially amongst some of the more rural communities across the county.”

For more information and to keep up to date with the show, visit the website (www.royalcornwall.co.uk) or follow the show on Facebook (Royal Cornwall Show) and Twitter (@RoyalCornwall).