Charity

How my life was saved by Wales Air Ambulance after garage roof fall

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

A WEST WALES man has spoken out about the lifesaving care he received from the Welsh Air Ambulance after a terrifying accident at his home. Chris Heyns, who works for Utility Warehouse, shared his story in hopes of highlighting the vital service provided by the air ambulance team.

On 21st July, Mr Heyns, from Bridgend, suffered a serious accident when he fell from the roof of his garage, landing on the concrete floor below. The fall left him unconscious and, upon regaining consciousness, he was in excruciating pain. It was later revealed that he had shattered two vertebrae and sustained a bleed on the brain.

“My wife called 999, but unfortunately, the nearest ambulance wouldn’t arrive for around 80 minutes,” Mr Heyns recalled. “However, just five minutes later, she received a call saying the air ambulance would be with me in 15 minutes.”

The Welsh Air Ambulance team arrived swiftly and provided Mr Heyns with much-needed pain relief, helping to ease his suffering. His wife described the crew as “amazing and so professional” in their handling of the situation.

Mr Heyns was airlifted to Cardiff University Hospital, where he underwent spinal surgery the following day. After spending three weeks in hospital, he is now recovering at home, though he acknowledges that the road to full recovery will take time.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Mr Heyns expressed his deep gratitude for the air ambulance service. “I could not imagine what my wife and I would have had to endure if the Welsh Air Ambulance team hadn’t arrived so swiftly,” he said.

Although Mr Heyns admits that he had never previously donated to the air ambulance, his experience has prompted him to take action. “After my ordeal, I’m pledging to raise money next year to truly say a huge thank you for being there for all of us in times of need.”

Mr Heyns’ story serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role played by the Welsh Air Ambulance in saving lives across the region, often in the most challenging of circumstances.

The Welsh Air Ambulance Charity operates four helicopters, which are on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, covering every corner of Wales. Each year, the service responds to approximately 3,500 missions, delivering advanced critical care to those in dire need, whether in remote rural areas, busy urban centres, or on major roads. The helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, and the highly skilled crews include critical care practitioners, paramedics, and consultants.

Since its inception in 2001, the Welsh Air Ambulance has saved countless lives, providing a lifeline for patients who might otherwise face long waits for emergency treatment. The charity relies entirely on public donations to keep flying, with each mission costing an average of £1,500.

For many, like Mr Heyns, the Welsh Air Ambulance is not just a service but a literal lifesaver, making it an essential part of the emergency medical landscape in Wales. As Mr Heyns prepares to raise funds to support the charity, his story highlights the importance of sustaining this vital service for the benefit of all.

Charity

Tenby musical extravaganza raises over £1700 for Lifeboats

Published

9 hours ago

September 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

TENBY was alive with the sound of music and community spirit this past weekend, as the Hay Shantymen delivered an unforgettable performance, raising approximately £1,700 for the Tenby lifeboat station.

Despite inclement weather, the event, held at the Tenby Brewing Co., saw a full house, with every ticket sold contributing directly to the lifeboat fund. The venue, known for its commitment to local causes and excellent beer, played host to an evening filled with lively shanties and heartfelt camaraderie.

John, a crew member from the Tenby Lifeboats RNLI, provided an “inspirational and mildly terrifying” tour of the lifeboat earlier in the day, further solidifying the community’s appreciation for the brave work of the RNLI volunteers. Mags, another lifeboat team member, was noted for her cheerful demeanour as she navigated the crowd with a donations card reader, ensuring everyone had a chance to contribute.

The Shantymen expressed profound gratitude to their audience and supporters on social media, stating, “Thanks so much to everybody who came to our gigs on Saturday. It was such a brilliant weekend, despite the weather’s best efforts.”

Unfortunately, the Shantymen had to cancel their planned busking in town on Sunday due to a combination of the bad weather and some very sore throats, much to the disappointment of both the band and their fans.

Feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees sharing their joy on social media. Karen Gill, a local attendee, remarked, “Thought you were brilliant, really enjoyed listening to and watching you all, thank you!”

The event not only showcased the tight-knit community of Tenby but also highlighted the critical role that fundraising plays in supporting vital services like the RNLI. The Tenby Brewing Co. echoed this sentiment, expressing their delight at hosting the event and looking forward to more such gatherings in the future.

Charity

Fundraising Ashmole & Co staff swap calculators for walking boots

Published

7 days ago

September 9, 2024

Jason Cooper

Ashmole & Co’s staff from across south and mid Wales will be swopping their calculators for walking boots later this month to hike 12 miles along the Mumbles Coastal Path to help raise funds for Tenovus Cancer Care.

With thirteen offices spread across mid and south Wales, approximately 100 staff, including Partners from Ashmole & Co, are currently in training to walk approximately 12 miles from Mumbles to Swansea and back again.

Sharon George, Partner with Ashmole and Co said, “We recently launched a year of fundraising in aid of Tenovus Cancer Care. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer or has a family member receiving treatment themselves. We were keen to support a cancer charity based in Wales and all the funds raised would be used to support those affected by cancer in Wales. We hope our clients and friends will help us raise as much money as possible for this extremely worthy cause.”

Any donations to support Ashmole & Co’s fundraising for their walk which is taking place on Friday, 20 September 2024, would be very gratefully received. Here is the link to the Just Giving page, or you can donate directly to any member of staff or at any office: Ashmole and co is fundraising for Tenovus Cancer Care (justgiving.com)

Elin Murphy, Tenovus Cancer Care’s Regional Fundraising Manager for south west Wales, said, “We are very grateful to Ashmole & Co for choosing to help raise funds for Tenovus Cancer Care over the next 12 months. Your donations will mean that we can continue to support cancer patients and their loved ones with our services and actively campaign to improve outcomes and give a voice to all affected by cancer in Wales.”

Tenovus Cancer Care are a Wales-based charity which gives help, hope and a voice to everyone affected by cancer. Tenovus is there for anyone affected by cancer. Together with its inspiring community of supporters, volunteers and fundraisers, the charity is determined to be there for everyone affected today, tomorrow and beyond.

Charity

Local housebuilder donates £2,000 to Saundersfoot Rotary Club

Published

7 days ago

September 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Saundersfoot Rotary Club has been awarded a £2,000 cheque as one of the latest recipients of Persimmon Homes West Wales’ Community Champions initiative.

Tenderfoot Welsh Disabled Sports Club, sees Saundersfoot Rotary Club train and develop disabled athletes every year in a variety of sports, culminating in teams competing in the Welsh Disability Team Games.

The five-star housebuilder’s donation will go towards supporting the Rotary’s annual fundraising in support of the club, their sporting activities, and equipment.

The Community Champions scheme by Persimmon Homes West Wales donates £24,000 each year to community organisations and good causes in the areas it develops.

In July, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park supported Persimmon’s proposed development of a new sustainable community of 72 high-quality homes in Saundersfoot.

The zero-carbon ready scheme includes a mix of quality new detached, semi-detached, terraced houses, and apartments, ranging from one to four bedrooms, which will help meet local housing needs and open the door to home ownership for more local families.

Ray Wise, from Saundersfoot Rotary Club, thanked Persimmon for the donation and commented: “Thank you to Persimmon for their kind donation. This money will help us at Saundersfoot Rotary Club to enhance Tenderfoot’s activities and enable more people with disabilities to get involved in sports.

“Persimmon’s donation will help us foster a strong sense of community and empowerment, making a difference to the lives of people with disabilities across West Wales.”

Sharon Bouhali, Sales Director at Persimmon Homes West Wales, commented:

“Our Community Champions scheme is all about supporting the areas we operate in, and the community champions who go above and beyond to support others in their local community.

“The work that the Saundersfoot Rotary Club do to improve the lives of people living with disabilities is heartwarming, so we are delighted to support their ongoing work.”