News

Wales Air Ambulance unveils the newest additions to its fleet

Published

1 year ago

October 26, 2023

THE WALES Air Ambulance Charity has today unveiled its new aircraft, which has been named by the people of Wales, and its new Rapid Response Vehicles.

The lifesaving service, funded through charitable donations, funds a fleet of rapid response vehicles and aircraft. They are equipped with some of the most advanced medical equipment in the world which enables the medical crew to deliver emergency department treatments at the scene of an emergency.

In 2022, the Charity underwent a rebrand and today the public gets a glimpse of a new aircraft which carries the new design. During the summer, Charity supporters were given the opportunity to name the helicopter. They took part in an online vote to choose their preferred aircraft registration from a list of five options. The clear winner was G-LOYW, which means bright or shining in Welsh.

Earlier this year, Wales Air Ambulance announced that Gama Aviation Plc had successfully bid for a seven-year aviation contract, which covers the operation and maintenance of a primary fleet of four Airbus H145 helicopters. Currently, the service has three H145 helicopters and one smaller H135 helicopter. As part of the new contract, the H135 aircraft will be upgraded to a H145, giving the Charity a consistent fleet of advanced helicopters to deliver Wales’ vital air ambulance service.

The Charity is also updating its fleet of rapid response vehicles, with the recent introduction of two Volvo CX90s. This allowed for the new branding to be introduced onto these vehicles alongside the aircraft.

The whole design process was delivered in-house by the Charity’s Communication Team, co-managed by Lauren Berry, Creative Digital Designer and Laura Slate, Communications and Engagement Manager.

Laura said: “Working on the livery for an aircraft and rapid response vehicle was something none of us had ever done before. It was a challenge for the Charity’s Communications Team but one we took great pride in. To have been able to complete the project in-house is a huge achievement for us, and we’re incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity.”

Lauren added: “There were a lot of things to consider during the design phase, from identifying the best materials to use and understanding the legislation in place for both vehicles. Both vehicles presented challenges, but with the support of the Charity’s partners, we have been able to create something that we are proud of.”

The team collaborated with Charity partners, Gama Aviation and The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) throughout the process to ensure compliance with the safety guidelines.
Both the aircraft and rapid response vehicles maintain their strong Welsh identity, with a bold red colour and distinctive green dragon’s tail that matches the Charity’s new logo. The design also includes contour lines, which are green on the aircraft and yellow (high-vis material) on the RRVs. They are representative of the diverse geographical landscape of Wales, much like those on an Ordnance Survey map, and are symbolic of the different areas and communities that the Charity serves.

While the design was added to the aircraft by Gama Aviation, the new rapid response vehicles underwent a complete transformation to adapt them from standard road cars to emergency service vehicles. This was undertaken by a Welsh company, Polaris.

Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive, said: “Whenever we survey our supporters, the Charity’s strong Welsh identity is always highlighted as a source of pride. It’s important that the passion for our nation is visible through the vehicles that we use, both in terms of their design and the Welsh language registrations for our helicopters.

“Both the helicopters and cars are funded by the people of Wales, so it is incredibly important to us that they reflect the country and communities that we serve.”

Mark Smith, Managing Director Special Mission for Gama Aviation, said: “It has been great to work with the Charity to implement the evolution of their brand onto the helicopter and road vehicle fleet, allowing us to bring both design teams together to collaborate on how we can realise a 2D design on a 3D shape.

“For me, the change is also symbolic. The delivery of the helicopter in the new livery represents the commencement of an exciting new partnership between us, EMRTS and the Charity. Operations will commence in earnest shortly and we are looking forward to playing our part in the delivery of pre-hospital support to the people and communities of Wales.”

Mark Winter, EMRTS Operations Director, said: “Our response cars play a vital part in taking critical care to our patients, the new livery for the response vehicles has been worked through with our Charity colleagues following feedback from our communities.

“We are very pleased with the design and the collaborative spirit shown by all those involved.”

The air ambulance service in Wales is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. 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.

News

Young Changemakers Drive Wales Toward a Net Zero Future

Published

12 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AS world leaders gathered at COP29 to address global climate challenges, young people in Wales were making their own mark on the path to a greener future. The Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon, held last Friday, showcased the ingenuity, passion, and practical solutions of 26 young finalists from across Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

This flagship event, hosted by Pembrokeshire-based education enterprise Cymbrogi Futures, is part of a year-long programme empowering young learners with the skills and confidence to tackle climate challenges head-on.

THE WINNING IDEA: FAIR FASHION

The team from Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthenshire, stole the show with their innovative project addressing fast fashion waste. Their idea? Personalised soft toys crafted from discarded fabric destined for landfill. By engaging with local businesses and charity shops, the team not only demonstrated creativity but also gained practical insights into the environmental impact of textile waste.

Nia John, lead teacher for the team, shared: “This project allowed us to incorporate real-world learning into the classroom. Pupils were thrilled to interact with industry experts, growing their ideas through meaningful collaboration.”

Ariana, the team leader, reflected: “I enjoyed learning skills like collaboration and creativity, which will help me in the future. This experience has inspired me to start our school’s Climate Action group.”

OTHER FINALISTS: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Equally impressive was Milford Haven School’s ‘Cafe Cleddau’, a visionary concept featuring a solar-powered boat to connect communities along the Haven waterway. With sustainable snacks, a soft-play area, and hydro-powered backup systems, the idea aimed to revolutionise tourism and nightlife in the region.

All finalist teams received vouchers for the ethical online store Social Supermarket, while the winning team took home a £300 cash prize to fund biodiversity projects at their school.

BUILDING A NET ZERO FUTURE

Cymbrogi’s founder, Liza Lort-Phillips, underlined the importance of initiatives like Tomorrow’s Changemakers:
“Today’s learners will face far greater challenges in a climate-changed world than any of us. By sparking their imaginations now, we can equip them to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.”

The programme was supported by major partners, including the Port of Milford Haven and Cwm Environmental, who provided real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities in Wales’ green economy.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, remarked: “This initiative is vital. Empowering the next generation with green skills and confidence ensures they are ready to lead the charge toward a net-zero future.”

A COMMUNITY-ROOTED CHALLENGE

The hackathon is the culmination of a three-stage learning journey inspired by the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the UN Global Goals. The programme began with an online course introducing topics such as the circular economy and systems thinking, followed by mini-challenges rooted in real-world scenarios in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Learners explored diverse challenges, including:

Sustainable Tourism: Imagining a car-free holiday in Milford Haven.
Energy: Exploring renewable solutions for rural Wales.
Fashion: Tackling fast fashion waste.

The finalists worked with industry experts, visiting sites such as the Port of Milford Haven and Cwm Environmental to gain hands-on experience.

A CALL TO ACTION

Samuel Kurtz, MS for South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, praised the event:
“The curiosity and ingenuity of these students are truly inspiring. Their ambition shows they are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. Initiatives like this are essential for building a resilient and sustainable future.”

Cymbrogi Futures hopes to expand the programme to schools across Wales, with plans to reach Wrexham and Neath Port Talbot in 2025.

As Wales leads the charge toward a net-zero future, the Tomorrow’s Changemakers programme reminds us that the solutions of tomorrow lie in the hands of today’s young minds.

Pictured above: Young innovators: Queen Elizabeth High students celebrate their Fair Fashion project victory (Pic: MHPA).

Community

Port supports Cruising Free’s Atlantic Dash with donation of safety equipment

Published

24 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced a donation of vital safety equipment to support local group Cruising Free, who will be embarking on a challenging 3,200-mile rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The crew of Cruising Free will row from Lanzarote to Antigua to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Port of Milford Haven’s donation includes a comprehensive range of safety gear designed to support the crew’s journey and ensure their safety during this extraordinary expedition. Items provided include:

Flare Kit
Satellite Phone
VHF Radios
First Aid Kits
GPS Equipment
Lights
Safety Lines
And more

The Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s leading energy Port, is committed to supporting local maritime initiatives. This donation is a key part of the Port’s ongoing efforts to promote safety in all aspects of maritime activity, particularly for adventurous projects like Atlantic Dash.

“We are proud to support the amazing crew of Cruising Free as they undertake this monumental challenge,” said Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven. “Safety is paramount for anyone taking to the sea, and we hope that the equipment we’ve provided will support them as they navigate the Atlantic. Their journey will not only raise vital funds for two incredibly worthwhile causes but also inspire people across the UK and beyond. We are excited to be part of their journey and wish them the very best of luck.”

The Atlantic Dash will see the team of experienced rowers tackle the gruelling transatlantic journey, which is expected to take several weeks. The funds raised by Cruising Free will directly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which supports research and care for people living with cystic fibrosis, and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which provides specialist palliative care services to individuals in West Wales.

“We are truly and eternally grateful to Port of Milford Haven who have provided us with the essential safety equipment needed to embark on our 3,200 mile journey from Lanzarote to Antigua. We are hoping not to need to use the flares or safety lines, but the satellite phone and VHF radio will keep us connected with land and loved-ones through the entire 2-month journey. Thank you!” said Polly Zipperlen, team member of Cruising Free.

Cruising Free’s row across the Atlantic will begin in January 2025, and the crew’s journey will be tracked in real time to allow supporters to follow their progress. The team is already actively fundraising and plans to hold several community events in the lead-up to their departure.

To learn more about Cruising Free’s Atlantic Row and how you can support their cause, visit their Linktree here.

News

A48 closed in both directions following two crashes near Cross Hands

Published

29 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE A48 near Cross Hands remains closed in both directions after two separate crashes on Thursday evening (Nov 14).

Drivers are being urged to avoid the area as congestion continues to build.

The eastbound closure stretches from the A476 Llandeilo Road (Cross Hands Roundabout) to Heol-Y-Deri (Cwmgwili Junction).

Meanwhile, the westbound section is closed between the M4 at Pont Abraham Roundabout and the A476 at Cross Hands.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its attendance at the scene, noting that one of the crashes involved a single vehicle. Emergency services are currently working to clear the area.

Congestion has been reported on surrounding routes, including the A483 towards the Pont Abraham Interchange, the M4 leading to the interchange, and the A476 towards Cross Hands Roundabout.

At 9:50pm, the A48 was still closed in both directions. Earlier reports at 7:03pm confirmed the eastbound closure was due to a single-vehicle collision. Google Maps highlighted heavy traffic on nearby roads as drivers sought alternative routes.

By 9:30pm, traffic on surrounding roads had eased slightly, but delays persist as the main route remains inaccessible.