A WALES Air Ambulance Charity volunteer is encouraging people to join the team after raising thousands of pounds for the service since joining in 2017.
Ifor Davies, a grandfather from Pencaenewydd said: “I have been involved with the charity for seven years and it all started because I am heavily involved with motorsport, in North and Mid Wales.
“There was an incident on the Epynt ranges where two of the aircraft came out to deal with casualties.
“It prompted me into thinking, ‘hang on, isn’t it about time we try to put something back into this charity for all the work that they assist us with?’”
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.
As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Ifor said: “I think it is so important to raise awareness about the work the service does, and the best way is through fundraising events.”
He was part of a team that staged a tractor run in April and added: “We had just over forty vehicles and they got to travel across farmland.
“They got to see views they’d never normally get to look at and loved it. We collected money for the Wales Air Ambulance and the Pencaenewydd chapel’s fund.
“Each organisation had £720.00 on that day, which we were very pleased with.”
Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Ifor said: “It costs so much to run the service so I try to do as much as I can throughout the year.”
He helped set up the Taith Eryri Tour, which is in its eighth year. He continued: “It is a tour of classic cars and competition cars but we are open to everybody taking part really.
“We lost two years because of Covid, so this would have been our tenth year if it were not for the pandemic.
“It is such a fun day out. The route varies every year but we take in the stunning Snowdonia National Park.
People travel miles to take part in the event. Ifor said: “There is a great atmosphere and it attracts enthusiasts from everywhere.
“This year we had a couple taking part who were from Stoke on Trent. There was also a father and son who travelled over from Widnes.”
Ifor has been through his books, adding up how much he has raised for the lifesaving charity over the years. He says the car tour alone has brought in close to £10,000.
He said: “People are always hugely supportive of the Charity, I’m amazed at their generosity. When they hear what the cause is, they want to donate.”
Ifor wears many hats during the week. He works part-time for his daughter and son-in-law’s E Bay shop and is also the Regional Officer for Motorsport UK in North Wales.
He said: “The motorsport community is incredible. I attend so many events throughout the year where I am literally doing two jobs. They want me there in my official role but will often want me to give a talk, or hand over a cheque to me to give to the Charity.
“They understand the importance of the work the team does and want to do as much as they can to help too.”
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity is currently looking for volunteers to help out.
Reflecting on being a volunteer, Ifor said: “It is so worthwhile and so rewarding when you meet people who have made use of the service.
“It’s an invaluable organisation and it’s probably one of the unique charities that people fundraise for in that they hope they will never need it.
“But if you do get injured or fall ill, when you see the helicopter landing you know there is a skilled team onboard who are bringing the hospital to you. They bring hope.”
Ifor added: “There is nothing like giving back to your community. By giving your time and travelling a bit. There really is no hardship and when you see what a difference volunteers across Wales are making you cannot help but be proud to be part of the air ambulance team.”
Elaine Orr, Fundraising Manager for North West Wales said: “I personally want to say thank you to Ifor for volunteering. We are immensely grateful for his willingness to give his time, energy and talents.
“His continued support to the Wales Air Ambulance allows us to continue fulfilling our mission. Not only does his work support our organisation but it also supports our community.
“I look forward to continuing to work alongside Ifor and hope his story inspires others to follow his lead.”
For more information about volunteering with Wales Air Ambulance, visit the Wales Air Ambulance website.
