South Wales company to set their sights on new heights for charity

A south Wales company has set its staff a fundraising challenge to hike Pen y Fan for a lifesaving charity.

Alpha Safety wanted to show its gratitude to the Wales Air Ambulance after the medics on board attended the wife of one of the managers, following a car accident.

Danial Ahern, General Manager for Alpha Safety said: “The Wales Air Ambulance provided outstanding support and assurance throughout the incident, which was a crucial factor in Kim making a full recovery. We hope this fundraiser provides a small token of appreciation for the incredible work carried out by all at the Wales Air Ambulance whilst showing support for our manager and his family.”

The Alpha Safety team will be embarking upon Pen y Fan on Sunday 14 July and hope to reach the teams £100 fundraising target. This is the first time the company has fundraised for the Wales Air Ambulance, and they have already raised £50 towards its fundraising goal.

Teams from both Alpha Safety’s Swansea and Cardiff facilities will be taking part in the challenge ‘to help raise awareness’.

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. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery.   

 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.  

As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care. 

Reflecting on the importance of the 24/7 service, Danial said: “The service is crucial to Wales and the ability to support emergency response. Knowing that the Wales Air Ambulance has supported over 50,000 missions since 2001 speaks volumes to how critical the service really is. Further to the emergency response, we have also seen first-hand the over and above support provided by Wales Air Ambulance, including the patient and relative support the Charity provides which is truly astonishing.”

In 2019, the charity launched its Aftercare Service through the introduction of a Patient Liaison Nurse, Jo Yeoman. Thanks to this service, the Charity is now one of the first to arrive on scene but also the last to leave, ensuring that patients and their families are supported throughout their recovery, including bereavement support.

The Charity expanded the service in 2022 with an additional Patient Liaison Nurse, Hayley Whitehead-Wright covering Mid and North Wales.

Mark Stevens, Head of Fundraising for the Wales Air Ambulance said: “The team at Alpha Safety have a personal reason to raise funds for the Charity. They know first-hand the service the Wales Air Ambulance provides not only at the side of the road, to help save lives, but also with its aftercare to patients and families. 

“It is lovely to hear that through having that personal connection with the Charity, the team wanted to help others and have arranged a fundraiser in aid of our cause. Good luck to Alpha Safety in their hike up Pen y Fan, fundraisers like these will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us the most. 

“Every year the Charity needs to raise £11.2 million to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road. By raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance Alpha Safety are helping us to reach those much-needed funds.”

You can show your support to the team from Alpha Safety by donating to their JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/page/alpha-safety-1714647181345