School’s fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance

Pupils pull out all the stops to raise over £6,500 for lifesaving charity

Generous pupils at a Cardiff school have raised an incredible £6,500 for the Wales Air Ambulance. 

The children of Gwaelod y Garth Primary School took on the challenge to funds for the 24/7 lifesaving Charity over several months.

Each class came up with their own activities to raise the much-needed funds, which included ideas of sponsored walks and cake bakes.

The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

In May the school received a special visit from one of the Charity’s medics – critical care practitioner, Ruby Thomas – the medic is the mother of two of the pupils at the school. Recently Ruby received an invitation to the school, when the school revealed they raised a staggering £6,500 during their fundraising.

A delighted Ruby said: “The pupils at Gwaelod y Garth Primary School have all worked extremely hard to raise much needed funds for our lifesaving service. The children raised a fantastic amount over several months. Despite their young age, the pupils have a strong understanding of the lifesaving work our Charity provides for the people of Wales. The children were determined to fundraise, and we can’t thank them enough for raising an incredible £6,500. Their support will enable us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they us most – they’re all lifesavers in my eyes.

“I can’t speak more highly of the school and its faculty. I have been nothing but impressed since my children have started and I feel very lucky.”

The Wales Air Ambulance service offers advanced critical care across Wales. It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership between the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS Cymru). As a result, the service is consultant-led and is known as a ‘flying emergency department’, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient at the scene of an incident. This includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

Wales Air Ambulance Community fundraiser, Laura Coyne said: “It is wonderful that after hearing of the important work our Charity does for the people of Wales, the children wanted to fundraise for the Wales Air Ambulance. They’ve raised an outstanding amount and I hope they’re all proud of themselves. Da Iawn, pawb.” 

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com.  

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.