Coffee and Cake post event

 Charity’s supporters raised plenty of ‘dough’

Wales Air Ambulance’s dedicated supporters raised plenty of ‘dough’ during its first Coffee and Cake fundraising event.

The month-long event, which coincided with the Charity’s 23rd birthday, allowed people to meet up virtually or in person, and raised over £19,000. 

The beauty of the fundraiser saw people of all ages not only bake cakes but hold different events throughout the country. The Coffee and Cake fundraising campaign enabled participants to choose a time and place that suited them. It was a wonderful opportunity to get together with friends or family for coffee and cake, whilst fundraising.

Some of the fundraisers included a Pembrokeshire school – Pennar Community School, their successful event raised over £400.

They were inspired to organise their own Coffee and Cake event, with a twist, after learning about the charity as part of their classroom studies.  

Their teacher, Victoria Boyle’s sister, Laura Slate, is the charity’s Community and Engagement Manager and was invited to give a presentation and talk about its lifesaving work. 

Victoria said: “The Wales Air Ambulance is something the pupils could all relate to. We have all seen it fly over from time to time and heard about incidents attended in the area. 

“Some of our pupils’ families have also had a need for it and have seen first-hand the benefits. 

“I think it’s a charity close to so many people’s hearts, especially down here in Pembrokeshire living so close to the beach and sea. So, it is something everyone was interested to learn more about.” 

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.

Staff at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board switched their scrubs for aprons to help raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity. 

One of the organisers, Ruth Stone, a Professional Practice Development Nurse, teamed up with colleagues across the two neuroscience departments based at the University Hospital of Wales and Llandough Hospital.  

They raised just over £500 after putting on two Coffee and Cake events in March.

Phae Jones, Director of Income Generation at the Wales Air Ambulance, said: “We are absolutely delighted that once again our supporters came out in force to raise vital funds for our cause. A huge thank you to everyone who held their own Coffee and Cake event to raise funds for our charity. This is the first year that we held our ‘Coffee and Cake’ event and to raise over £19,000 is amazing. It was lovely to hear people of all ages took part in our fundraiser to mark our 23 years of service to the people of Wales. 

“The charity replies on fundraising events, like this, to keep our four helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Thank you for raising plenty of ‘dough’!”

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.

The Charity has lots of events and initiative taking place across the year, for further information visit www.walesairambulance.com/events.