OVER 100 people ran on behalf of Wales Air Ambulance at this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon helping to raise thousands of pounds for the Charity.
29,000 runners took to the Welsh capital’s streets, making it one of the biggest on record.
Welsh Sportswear company Agilis, owned by Wales rugby legend Shane Williams, showed their ongoing support for the Charity by fielding their own trio of runners.
Shane was due to compete, but due to an injury duing the Ironman Wales event in Tenby, where he was representing the Charity, he had to withdraw. But his colleague, Andrew Watts, a company director and keen triathlete, was among the group that took part.
He said: “It’s the first time I’ve done the race. I’ve done Ironman events and multiple things like that.
“The atmosphere was electric and the support we got was amazing. Each time I’d go past someone else running for the air ambulance there would be words of encouragement.
“There was a real sense of camaraderie, which was fantastic.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is Consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.
Runners like father of two, Matthew Wright play a key role in keeping the service operational. He raised just over £665 for the Charity and was “delighted” to set a personal best.
Matthew, who is Payroll Manager for Mrs. Bucket, wanted to support the Charity after it became a client earlier this year and he started finding out more about the work it does.
He said: “I am so grateful to my family and friends for helping me raise such an incredible amount!
“It was such a brilliant day, the atmosphere was amazing, and I managed to run the course in one hour and 42 minutes, shaving 15 minutes off my time. I would run on behalf of the charity again.”
It costs £11.2 million pounds annually to keep the helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road, with the pan-Wales service attending around 4,000 patients each year.
Keen horse rider Lisa Evans, who switched her jodhpurs for running shorts, said: “The Wales Air Ambulance is such a vital service.
The Ceredigion Council worker said: “From a young age, growing up, I have seen the air ambulance attend equestrian events and know how important it is in an emergency and living in a rural area you often hear of people that have been helped by the air ambulance.”
The mum of two, who raised £355, added: “It’s incredible that the service can bring the emergency room to the scene which can make such a massive difference in terms of someone’s chances of recovery.”
“I would encourage anyone to run for the Charity, whether you are an experienced runner or want a new challenge.
“It was a wonderful experience, and I enjoyed spotting other Wales Air Ambulance runners in their vests during the day and everyone was so supportive.”
The Wales Air Ambulance’s very own Senior Individual Giving Manager, Emma Moore, was among those who put on the Charity vest and raised £800. Emma said: “I can’t quite find the words but thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who sponsored me.
“It was tough at times, as I have been getting over a virus, the crowds were amazing, and my friends were incredible cheerleaders throughout.”
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on different income streams to enable it to keep saving lives, from fundraising events, monthly donations, gifts in wills and the lottery.
Abi Pearce, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager for South East Wales, said: “We cannot thank our fundraisers enough for all their support during the Cardiff Half Marathon!
“There were around 100 runners in our charity colours, it was wonderful to see them go past and catch up with them at the finish line.
“Thank you also to Cowbridge Chiropractors who looked after our runners on the day by providing free massages post-race.
“Our supporters play such an invaluable part and without them we simply wouldn’t exist. Thank you.”
