ASCONA, the Pembrokeshire-based UK wide forecourt operator, says it is delighted to announce that the Wales Air Ambulance will be its charity partner for the 2023/24 financial year.

To celebrate this new partnership, Ascona says it has made an initial donation of £10,000.

Over the next 12 months, 25p donations will be available to be paid via card machines across all of their sites in Wales and Ascona has committed to match each donation up to total value of £50,000. In addition, the Wales Air Ambulance will share in the proceeds of Nisa Retail’s ‘Making a Difference Locally’ fund, which is expected to amount to a further £10,000 in contributions from purchases made at Ascona sites in Wales. Ascona anticipates raising over £100,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance by the end of the 2023/24 financial year, through all of the proposed fundraising activities.

The partnership will help to support the Wales Air Ambulance in their mission to deliver lifesaving medical care to people across Wales, whenever and wherever they need it. The service relies entirely on charitable donations to raise the necessary £8 million in funds to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the roads across Wales.

Darren Briggs, Chief Executive of Ascona Group told Herald.Wales: “Since we started Ascona back in 2011, supporting our local communities has been central to our culture so we are proud to support the Wales Air Ambulance Charity in their vital work as they continue to deliver lifesaving medical care to people across Wales.

“Over the years, we have raised and donated over £200,000 for many different charities that help Welsh communities and their people and with the Wales Air Ambulance as our charity partner for the next 12 months, we are truly excited to make a difference to such an iconic charity.”

Siany Martin, Corporate Fundraiser at the Wales Air Ambulance, added: “We are delighted that Ascona has selected us as their charity of the year. Despite the vital work our people carry out on a daily basis, we receive no direct funding so we truly rely on the support from the people of Wales to make sure we can continue to serve them. Together with the rest of the team, I’d like to thank Darren and everyone at Ascona for their most generous donation and continued support.”

IF YOU’RE passionate about Pembrokeshire’s great outdoors and love to tackle tough physical tests, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Trust has a fundraising opportunity that will help you tick both boxes.

The Trust is offering a limited number of free entries for IRONMAN Wales 2023, which will see thousands of people take on the 2.4-mile swim, 112 miles of cycling and a marathon on foot along some of South Pembrokeshire’s most challenging routes this September.

Pembrokeshire Coast Trust Chair, Elsa Davies LVO said: “We’re delighted to be able to provide people with the opportunity to enter this popular event, which has become a fixture in the Pembrokeshire sporting calendar.

“With IRONMAN Wales featuring high levels of local participation, it would be a great opportunity for Pembrokeshire residents past and present to take part in the event and support a cause that will protect our National Park and make sure more people can enjoy its outdoors in the future.”

Sandra Jones, who has already signed up, said: “I want to raise funds to protect the National Park for future generations and ensure it is accessible to all.

“I’ve always enjoyed running but this is really pushing me outside of my comfort zone. This is the year of challenge for me, a triathlon every month leading up to Swansea IRONMAN 70.3 and then facing the ultimate – IRONMAN Wales.”

Those who are interested in taking up the challenge must commit to raise a minimum of £500, and the Trust would need to receive the pledge by 26 June 2023.

To find out more about IRONMAN Wales visit https://www.ironman.com/im-wales.

To donate to Sandra’s fundraising total visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sandra-jones50

If you would like to take up the free entry offer, expressions of interest should be sent to support@pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales.

CHARITIES in Pembrokeshire have a chance to win a share of a £25,000 prize pot offered by expert charity insurer Ansvar as part of its Community Campaign.

Many good causes in the region have been struggling to raise funds during the current cost of living crisis and Ansvar, which has insured charities, churches and voluntary groups for more than 60 years, is offering help.

The money will be split three ways: £15,000 for the overall winner with £5,000 each going to two additional charities.

Applications for funding can be submitted between Monday 6th March and Monday 17th April, with winners announced by Wednesday 31st May. Charities simply need to complete a short online form and explain in 500 words or less why their project deserves the prize.

Judges will be looking for projects that are about to start, or already running, which positively impact the local community.

Sarah Cox, Managing Director at Ansvar, said: “These are tough times for many charities, so we’re delighted to announce our search for three registered charities to benefit from a £25,000 prize pot.

“We know how much that money will mean to projects being run across the country and the judges are particularly keen to receive entries that provide a detailed outline of how the money would be spent.”

A judging panel will meet to decide the winner – and entries need to be made online via the Ansvar website. Entrants must be a registered charity and their charity number will be needed to apply.

Sarah Cox added:

“We’ve been insuring charitable organisations at the heart of the community for a long time and giving back to the community is an important part of what we do.

“So, we’re really looking forward to hearing from a wide breadth of charities and learning how they could benefit from this funding boost. We strongly urge any eligible charities in need of funding to submit an application.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.ansvar.co.uk/community-campaign-2023/community-campaign-2023/