Felinfoel Women’s Institute Ladies complete ‘100 challenge’ for lifesaving charity

Members from Felinfoel WI successfully completed their ‘100 challenge’ to raise £715 for the Wales Air Ambulance.

The week long fundraiser saw the ladies take part in a variety of different challenges and activities which included the number ‘100’. They ranged from physical exercises, such as climbing 100 stairs, 100 skips with a rope, 100 rows on the rowing machine and 100 minutes of exercise or even walking 100 laps around a football pitch or local park.

For those who did not want to do the physical exercise they thought of creative activities, which included 100 rows of knitting, 100 word poem, decorate 100 cup cakes or those who wanted to be more silent did 100 minutes of not speaking!

Felinfoel Women’s Institute came up with the fundraiser in memory of three members who had sadly passed away, and members who have had relatives that have needed the air ambulance in the past.

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care. 

The fundraiser was aimed at everyone, and some even linked it to their love of gardening by planting 100 seeds or bulbs.

During their recent meeting Wales Air Ambulance volunteer, Graham Hirst gave a very interesting talk and presentation to the ladies on the work of the Wales Air Ambulance.

A spokesperson for Felinfoel Women’s Institute, said: “The monies raised totalled £715 which was a remarkable achievement by the members. It was with great pleasure that this money was gifted to the Wales Air Ambulance and accepted by the Charity’s volunteer Graham Hirst.”

Wales Air Ambulance has four aircrafts based across Wales, in Dafen, Caernarfon, Welshpool and Cardiff. 

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.  

Katie Macro, community fundraising coordinator for the Wales Air Ambulance, said: “Thank you so much to Felinfoel Women’s Institute. The ladies came up with the fantastic idea of taking part in their ‘100 challenge’. The fundraiser allowed them to personalise their own challenge to do something unique in memory of three members who have sadly passed away. Thank you to every one of you who took part or donated to our lifesaving service. Without the support of the public our Charity wouldn’t be able to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us.”

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.