WEST WALES barber, Jamie Lloyd, took on the event last year and it is hoped that he will inspire you to sign up for a FREE Wales Air Ambulance charity place at this year’s Ironman Swansea 70.3.
The Aberystwyth dad signed up to the event after seeing an appeal on the Wales Air Ambulance Facebook page for people to complete the challenge on behalf of the Charity.
It was the first time he had taken part in a triathlon of this distance, and he crossed the finish line in six hours and thirteen minutes.
He set himself a target of £800 but doubled that – raising over £2,000.
Jamie said at the time, “Being in West Wales I often see how valuable the Welsh Air Ambulance is, as we’re a fair distance away from the major hospitals.”
After months of training, it was a special moment for Jamie and his family when he completed the challenge. He said, “My two-year-old son, Zebedee, was waiting at the finish line for me with my partner and mum.”
The air ambulance service in Wales 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.
This year’s Swansea Ironman is the third time it will take place in the city. Participants complete a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a half marathon to finish.
The air ambulance service in Wales 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.
David Balint from Rhondda is also familiar with the challenge and crossed the finish line in just under six hours last year, raising funds for the lifesaving charity.
He has seen first-hand the amazing work of the all-Wales Charity. He said, “I am a hospital porter and firefighter at the Heath Hospital and support the air ambulance when they arrive on scene with their patients, so I have seen first-hand what a fantastic job they do for us. This was a great opportunity for me to give something back to them.”
Seen as a must-do on any athlete’s calendar – the Swansea Ironman 70.3 course takes in the sweeping waterfront of Swansea Bay, leading to the seaside village of Mumbles, before cycling onto the beautiful Gower Peninsula.
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. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery.
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity is funded by the people of Wales and relies entirely on charitable donations to raise £11.2 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road across Wales.
Mark Stevens, Wales Air Ambulance’s Head of Fundraising, said, “We are truly grateful to all those who have signed up to compete in this year’s Swansea Ironman on behalf of Wales Air Ambulance.
“It’s an incredible and event and requires real commitment from athletes like Jamie and David who did an incredible job last year.
“We hope their journey will inspire others to sign up for the FREE charity spaces we currently have available – all people have to do is pledge to fundraise for us. By doing so, they will help us to continue serving the people of Wales and saving lives.”
To apply for a Wales Air Ambulance charity space, visit www.walesairambulance.com/swansea70.3 or email [email protected].
