Charity’s Virtual Run Raises Over £18k/Ras Rithwir Elusen yn Codi Dros £18K

Charity’s Virtual Run Raises Over £18k  

The Wales Air Ambulance is thanking participants who took part in the My Air Miles – Virtual Run after they raised over £18,000 for the lifesaving charity. 

This is the first year that the Charity has created and hosted its own fundraising virtual run and the launch in March, was a huge success. Over 200 people of all ages took part in the ‘Air Miles’ challenge, which aimed to acknowledge the large distances covered by the service’s ‘Flying Medics’ every month. Participants could choose a distance of 25, 60 or 100 miles to complete during March. 

The month-long challenge started before the Coronavirus lockdown and supporters were initially encouraged to keep active, whether that was walking their dog, going to the gym or training for other events – such as a marathon. However, following lockdown, participants finished the challenge during their regulation one-hour exercise per day. 

Great-grandmother Stella Hazell, 82, signed herself up to the challenge. She set her sights on completing 25 miles but, astonishingly, has completed over 50 miles. 

Reflecting on her achievement, Mrs Hazell from Ebbw Vale, said: “A lot of the extra mileage was down to the fact that our leisure centre, which most of my sponsorship came from, was closed during the latter part of the month due to the pandemic. So, I made up some of my time that I normally spend there, taking more walks.” 

Her dedication and hard work had paid off and people have shown their support to Mrs Hazell, by helping her raise £154.50. 

Mrs Hazell, who is a keen supporter of the Charity, also donated half of her £1000 winnings from the Wales Air Ambulance Lifesaving Lottery. In total, she has raised £654.50. 

Steffan Anderson-Thomas, the Charity’s Events Lead, said: “The launch of the Virtual Run has been a huge success and we are extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the challenge. Our Charity relies solely on donations from the people of Wales to keep our helicopters flying and it’s been fantastic to see so many people taking part. What’s been really inspiring is the example of people like Mrs Hazel, who at 82, has shown that it’s possible to do whatever you set your mind to. 

“These are difficult times for everyone, including the Wales Air Ambulance, and I would like to offer my deepest thanks to everyone for taking up the challenge.” 

After completing the challenge, all participants received a certificate, medal and T-shirt. 

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.

Ras Rithwir Elusen yn Codi Dros £18K  

Mae Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru yn diolch i gyfranogwyr a gymerodd ran yn Ras Rithwir Fy Milltiroedd Hedfan, gan godi dros £18,000 i’r elusen sy’n achub bywydau. 

Dyma’r flwyddyn gyntaf i’r Elusen greu a chynnal ei ras codi arian rithwir ei hun, ac roedd y lansiad ym mis Mawrth yn llwyddiant mawr. Cymerodd dros 200 o bobl o bob oedran ran yn her ‘Milltiroedd Hedfan’, a oedd â’r nod o gydnabod y pellteroedd mawr y mae ‘Meddygon Awyr’ y gwasanaeth yn eu teithio bob mis. Gallai’r cyfranogwyr ddewis pellter o 25, 60 neu 100 milltir i’w gwblhau yn ystod mis Mawrth. 

Dechreuodd yr her cyn i gyfyngiadau symud y Coronafeirws gael eu cyflwyno, ac anogwyd cefnogwyr i gadw’n heini, boed hynny drwy gerdded y ci, mynd i’r gampfa neu hyfforddi ar gyfer digwyddiadau eraill – fel marathon. Fodd bynnag, ar ôl i’r cyfyngiadau symud gael eu cyflwyno, cwblhaodd y cyfranogwyr yr her yn ystod eu hawr o ymarfer corff y dydd, yn unol â’r rheoliadau. 

Gwnaeth Stella Hazell, sy’n 82 oed ac yn fam-gu, gofrestru ar gyfer yr her. Anelodd at gwblhau 25 milltir ond, yn rhyfeddol, mae wedi cwblhau dros 50 milltir. 

Wrth sôn am ei chyflawniad, dywedodd Mrs Hazell, o Lynebwy: “Roedd llawer o’r milltiroedd ychwanegol o ganlyniad i’r ffaith bod ein canolfan hamdden, lle daeth y rhan fwyaf o’m nawdd, ar gau yn ystod rhan olaf y mis oherwydd y pandemig. Felly, treuliais beth o’r amser rydw i fel arfer yn ei dreulio yno yn mynd am droeon.” 

Roedd ei hymroddiad a’i gwaith caled wedi talu ar ei ganfed, ac mae pobl wedi dangos eu cefnogaeth i Mrs Hazell drwy ei helpu i godi £154.50. 

Gwnaeth Mrs Hazell, sy’n gefnogwr brwd i’r Elusen, hefyd roi hanner ei henillion o £1000 o Loteri Achub Bywyd Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru. Mae wedi codi cyfanswm o £654.50. 

Dywedodd Steffan Anderson-Thomas, Arweinydd Digwyddiadau’r Elusen: “Mae lansiad y Ras Rithwir wedi bod yn llwyddiant mawr ac rydym yn hynod ddiolchgar i bawb a gymerodd ran yn yr her. Mae ein helusen yn dibynnu’n llwyr ar roddion gan bobl Cymru i gadw ein hofrenyddion yn yr awyr ac mae wedi bod yn wych gweld cymaint o bobl yn cymryd rhan. Mae pobl fel Mrs Hazel, sy’n 82 oed, wedi dangos bod unrhyw beth yn bosibl os rhowch eich meddwl ar waith, ac mae hynny’n galonogol iawn. 

“Mae’n gyfnod anodd i bawb, gan gynnwys Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru, a hoffwn ddiolch o galon i bawb am ymgymryd â’r her.” 

Ar ôl cwblhau’r her, cafodd yr holl gyfranogwyr dystysgrif, medal a chrys-T. 

Mae sawl ffordd y gall y cyhoedd barhau i gefnogi Ambiwlans Awyr Cymru. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys rhoddion ar-lein, cofrestru ar gyfer Loteri Achub Bywydau yr Elusen, neu drwy feddwl am eu ffyrdd arloesol eu hunain o godi arian gartref. I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, ewch i www.ambiwlansawyrcymru.com.  

Fel arall, gellir tecstio’r gair HELI i 70711 er mwyn rhoi £5.