‘Mr Selfie’ puts a smile on people’s faces with daily snaps

When fundraiser Keith Thomas sets himself a challenge, he really goes for it and what a huge success it has turned out to be!

This year Keith, better known as ‘Mr Selfie’, has been taking a selfie each day to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.

The bus driver from Llanelli smashed his original target of raising £1,000 and has so far raised an amazing £2,253. He is now hoping reach £2,500 by the end of the year.

Due to the coronavirus restrictions, Keith has had to adapt his selfie-taking to include the 2-metre rule and he has also contacted people to ask them to submit a selfie.

Some of the celebrities happy to take part in this wonderful challenge include Michael Sheen, Coronation Street actors Will Mellor and Shobna Gulati, TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, rugby legends Jonathan Davies and Scott Quinnell, ITV Wales’ Kelsey Redmore, BBC Wales’ Claire Summers, weather presenters Sue Charles, Derek Brockway and Behnaz Akhgar, actress and radio presenter Sarah Champion and comedian Mike Doyle. 

A delighted, Mr Selfie, said: “It has been great to see all sorts of celebrities get involved by sending a selfie for me to use, mainly on Twitter. They have all wished me luck in my fundraising efforts. I was blown away when Welsh legend of the big screen Michael Sheen replied with a selfie and a message of good luck.

“Every single selfie has been a personal favourite of mine as it is people showing their support for my fundraising and the Welsh Air Ambulance.”

Mr Selfie, 60, is no stranger to fundraising and has been raising funds for good causes since 2016. To date he has raised over £13,500 for great causes and he hopes to raise a lot more in the future.

Keith and his wife Jane recently had a base visit at the Charity’s headquarters in Llanelli where they met the Charity’s staff and Keith took some selfies.

Speaking about why he has chosen the Wales Air Ambulance, he said: “I believe the air ambulances are such a crucial addition to the emergency services. I have seen them in action when my stepson played rugby. They have attended teammates of his on two occasions and were so fantastic at what they did.   

“So many lives are saved because of the swift action of our medical services and the air ambulance is the ultimate enhancement of their incredible work.”  

Wales Air Ambulance Community Fundraising Manager, Jane Griffiths, said: “What a star Mr Selfie is! He has taken on a year-long challenge for our charity and has raised a fantastic amount. His selfies always put a smile on my face. Keith has worked hard to get a lot of celebrities and families on board,  

and he should feel proud of himself.

“A huge thank you goes to everyone who has donated to his fundraiser or provided Keith with a selfie. Every donation will help keep our helicopters in the air so we can continue to take the emergency department to the patient, saving time and saving lives across Wales.”

You can show your support to Mr Selfie by taking a selfie and donating via his Just Giving page Keith’s 2021 Selfie challenge. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/keith-thomas32  

You can follow Mr Selfie via his Twitter page @keiththom2014 or his Facebook page Keith’s 2021 Selfie challenge.