A GROUP of four friends who met whilst working at an oil refinery took on a 64-mile cycling challenge in aid of Wales Air Ambulance over the weekend.

Dave Moore, Derek “Dez” Nicholas, David “Bogie” Knight and Adam Murphy pulled on charity jerseys as they competed in the Black Rat Sportive on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

64-year-old Dave, who is retired and from Fishguard, says they chose the lifesaving service because it came to the aid of one of their riders.

He said: “Through the years we have supported dozens of charities in our region. I’ve always been into fitness challenges, competing in triathlons and marathons.

“When I was working at the Murco oil refinery we would rally a large number, we had around sixteen at one time. We would do everything from rowing events to cycling and running.

“We have supported Wales Air Ambulance in the past, but one of our group, David Knight, suggested that we make it the Charity of choice for this year’s fundraiser, because they came to his aid.”

David, who is known as “Bogie” among the biking community, suffered serious injuries after coming off his motorcycle after an incident on the A483 in 2000. He was travelling from Llandovery to an event in Builth Wells when he was involved in a head on collision with a car.

He said: “All I remember was hearing brakes squealing coming down the hill. It was so quick I didn’t have time to brake; I was travelling in my lane when the next thing I was airborne.

“My motorbike hit the car, I catapulted over the top of it and travelled a few yards down the road landing on a metal barrier, which had a massive drop down the side of the mountain. I was lucky I didn’t go over the top.”

He was travelling with two friends at the time, one had gone on ahead, but another rider who was an ex-firefighter was close behind.

The father of two said: “Tony could see the car was up against a metal barrier on the edge of the bend – my motorbike was half on the barrier and half on the car. He could not see me as he came up. He parked up and spotted me on the floor. I was pretty bashed up.”

Both the Wales Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance attended. With David being flown to Glangwili Hospital. He required a spinal block to enable his leg to be straightened.

He also underwent surgery on his leg and hand, with pins inserted into his hip and knee to stabilise his broken femur and a wire inserted into his dislocated thumb.

He said: “It took six months for me to recover from my injuries. Just talking about it still makes me feel emotional, it’s the realisation of how lucky I was that day. It could have been so much worse.”

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 Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 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.

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

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

David said: “It’s incredible that the Charity must raise such a large amount each year to ensure the service keeps running.

“That’s why it feels very special doing our bit to help. We have already raised over £1.6k on our Go Fund Me page, and Impala will be match-funding the final total.”

The Black Rat Sportive is a cycle ride centred around the Wye Valley and Monmouthshire. Riders will cover 64-miles with about 3,600 feet of climbing.

Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager said: “It’s always hugely inspiring to see our past patients making such an amazing recovery after suffering terrible injuries.

“We are grateful that David nominated us as the chosen Charity to benefit from the group’s  fundraiser at the Black Rat Sportive.

“Our Charity relies on fundraising activities like this to ensure that we can attend patients whenever and wherever they need us.

“Every pound raised this weekend will make a lifesaving difference. Diolch yn fawr!”

TWO LOCAL urban exploration creators are preparing to take on an ambitious charity hitchhiking challenge across the entirety of Wales this summer – all in aid of two vital Welsh charities.

On July 13, Shaun from Urban Welsh Explorer alongside Jamie from Abandoned Explore Wales will attempt to travel around Wales entirely by hitchhiking, raising both funds and awareness for the Wales Air Ambulance and the Paul Sartori Foundation.

The challenge aims not only to test endurance and determination, but also to bring communities together while highlighting the incredible work both charities carry out across Wales every day.

Throughout the journey, the pair will be live streaming and posting regular updates across social media, allowing supporters to follow the adventure in real time, interact during the challenge, and help spread awareness for the causes.

The Wales Air Ambulance provides lifesaving emergency air cover and critical care services across the country, often reaching patients in rural and hard-to-access areas where every second counts.

Meanwhile, the Paul Sartori Foundation offers compassionate hospice-at-home services and vital support for families facing end-of-life care.

Supporters will be able to follow the challenge live through the team’s social media platforms and contribute via their fundraising page.

WEST Wales accountancy firm Ashmole & Co has chosen Alzheimer’s Society as its charity of the year.

The firm, which has thirteen offices across west, mid and south Wales, has raised more than £60,000 for good causes in recent years, including Wales Air Ambulance, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Tenovus Cancer Care and the DPJ Foundation.

Staff will now spend the next 12 months raising money for Alzheimer’s Society through collections, events, dress-down Fridays, cake bakes, running challenges and a sponsored walk later in the year.

The charity supports people affected by dementia, campaigns for better services and funds research into the condition.

Ashmole & Co said staff were keen to support a cause which affects thousands of families across Wales.

Laura Craddock, Ashmole & Co Partner in the Ammanford office, said: “Many of our staff are already aware of the great work done by Alzheimer’s Society and were keen to help raise funds for this worthwhile charity over the next 12 months.

“We hope our clients and friends will help us raise as much money as possible through collections and events for this extremely worthy cause.”

Alzheimer’s Society says around one million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, with that figure expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.

In Wales, around 51,000 people are living with dementia, with many still undiagnosed.

The charity says dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and costs the UK economy an estimated £42 billion a year, a figure expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

Dan Gee, Regional Fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We are very grateful to Ashmole & Co for choosing to help raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society over the next 12 months.

“There are currently 51,000 people living with dementia in Wales, half of those without a diagnosis. It is the UK’s biggest killer; it affects us all, and it devastates lives.

“Only together can we beat dementia – by giving vital support to those who need it, funding groundbreaking research, and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

“It will take a society to beat dementia, and we thank you for your support.”

Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants was established in 1897 and is one of the largest accountancy and auditing practices in Wales, with offices including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Tenby.

Donations to support the firm’s fundraising can be made through its JustGiving page or directly at any Ashmole & Co office.

Photo caption: Ashmole & Co partners with Dan Gee, Alzheimer’s Society Regional Fundraiser. Pictured from left are Will Hughes and Ian Badham, Partners in the Haverfordwest and Tenby offices; Laura Craddock, Partner in the Ammanford office; Dan Gee from Alzheimer’s Society; Chris Daultrey, Partner in the Swansea office; Ceri Llwyd, Partner in the Llandeilo and Llandovery offices; and Sharon George, Partner in the Carmarthen office.