Life after Lafarge

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Photo: L-R Kent Air Ambulance Clinical Manager Rob Wilkinson, Lafarge Decommissioning Manager Bill Hobba, Linda Trew of Ellenor Lions Hospice, Lafarge Demolition Manager Nigel Rees and Kent Air Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic Stu Plumbley.

Cash raised from what is believed to have been the largest demolition in Europe has helped the Kent Air Ambulance save a life.

Hundreds of onlookers turned out to watch as the two 550ft chimneys at Lafarge Cement site in Northfleet crashed to the ground in a cloud of dust. 

The towers have dominated the skyline for 40 years and their demise marks the end of almost two centuries of cement production at the site which closed in 2008.

A total of £3,500 was raised from the spectacular event which is to be split between the Kent Air Ambulance and Ellenor Lions Hospice.

It costs £1.7m a year to keep the helicopter airborne and each flying mission alone costs between £1,500 and £2,000.

Representatives from Lafarge were at the official cheque presentation at the helicopter’s Marden headquarters.

Demolition Manager Nigel Rees said: "Lafarge was only too happy to be involved with two very worthwhile regional charities and we are pleased that the money raised will go to such excellent causes."

Engineer Steve Church, 40, from Gravesend, was the lucky winner of a text competition to bring the towers down in March.

But it was delighted daughter Annabelle, 5, who pressed the demolition switch. Lafarge plans to develop the riverside land to make way for homes and shops.