A Powys caravan park has continued to support a lifesaving helicopter charity despite the fact that 2020 fundraising events could not go ahead.

The staff and caravan owners of Llwyn Celyn Holiday Home Park, near Newtown, all joined forces and donated money to the Wales Air Ambulance – and raised a fantastic £2,000.

Llwyn Celyn Holiday Home Park has always been a supporter of the Wales Air Ambulance. When the park was taken over by new owners Diane Whitehouse and her son, Lee Jasper in April 2015, they found out that the previous owners Peter and Pamela Fenton held a fun day in August each year to raise money for the lifesaving charity.

Diane said: “We wanted to keep this going as we realise, especially in rural areas, how vital it is to have this service. The funds that keep the helicopters flying are solely through money raised from the public.”

Each year the caravan park has held a variety of different fundraisers and despite the current pandemic forcing events to be cancelled, generous owners and staff were determined to raise funds for a charity close to its hearts.

Diane said: “The 2020 season has been an awful year for everyone and obviously we couldn’t hold any events so people donated, and we made a contribution to make it to the £2,000 because we need to keep the air ambulance in the air as much as possible.

“We have had an owner who had a heart attack and needed the air ambulance himself. He was rushed to Wolverhampton where he had a stent fitted. Without the air ambulance, it could have been fatal, so we will always do what we can to raise as much as possible.”

The money donated is strictly from owners and staff. The caravan park has made Wales Air Ambulance its main charity to raise money for but on occasions, when someone who lives onsite has a close link to another charity, they fundraise for others. Over the past 5 years, they have raised over £8,000 for charities including Wales Air Ambulance, Cardiac Risk in the Young and Macmillan.

Mark Stevens, Wales Air Ambulance Fundraising Manager, said: “A huge thank you goes out to everyone at Llwyn Celyn Holiday Home Park for their continued support. Despite being unable to hold fundraising events this year the staff and caravan owners have kindly donated an amazing £2,000 to our charity. Throughout the years their passion for fundraising has shone through. We hope that 2021 is a better year and appreciate their support. The money raised will help keep our helicopters flying 24/7.”

You can find out more information about Llwyn Celyn Holiday Home Park by visiting its website www.llwyncelyncaravanpark.co.uk