A HARLECH man has recently presented the Wales Air Ambulance with a £4,000 cheque following his 24-hour sheep shearing marathon.
Ifan Davies managed an epic 17-hour shearing tally of 1,063 ewe sheep, which raised an incredible amount for the lifesaving Charity.
Ifan recently visited the Caernarfon airbase, where he met the Wales Air Ambulance medics and pilot, to present them with the cheque.
The experienced sheep shearer has been lucky enough to shear sheep, not just in the U.K but across the world, including New Zealand, Spain and Germany.
Ifan wanted to support the Wales Air Ambulance Charity after his mum needed the service, 18 years ago, after suffering a serious accident.
Ifan said: “You never know when you might need it either, it’s a crucial service for people living in rural communities in Wales”.
To prepare for the huge fundraiser Ifan had months of preparation. He switched his diet to a no-white-carb diet, incorporated daily swims, and utilised the gym’s rowing machine to build endurance.
He even travelled to Germany for pre-challenge practice, battling 30-degree heat.
On the day Ifan was supported by his mum and sisters who gave him food throughout the challenge.
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.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Elaine Orr, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager said: “A huge thank you to Ifan, who took on an incredible challenge, and despite twisting his ankle during the fundraiser he battled through his pain to raise an incredible amount for our Charity.
“Ifan and his family know firsthand how important our service if for the people of Wales. It is wonderful to hear that he wanted to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance after the medics were called out to his mum following a serious accident.
“The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road, and without support from people like Ifan, we wouldn’t be able to help saves lives across Wales.
“Thank you to everyone who supported or sponsored Ifan in their fundraising.”
