The annual South Wales Seniors Classic golf tournament has raised £8,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance.

The golfing tournament has been raising money for the lifesaving charity since 2004 and to-date it has raised an incredible £104,440.

The competition is held across the whole of South Wales and the main winners this year were Carmarthen Golf Club - winners of the SWSC Cup and Neath Golf Club - winners of the SWSC Bowl. 

Reflecting on what it means to have raised so much money for the Wales Air Ambulance, Howel Craven, from South Wales Seniors Classic, said: “The feeling among all the golfers is that it is a tremendous achievement on behalf of the Seniors Classic over the past 18 years.

“We have 64 teams starting every season with a knock-out competition resulting in two teams in the finals for the cup and bowl. That comes down to 12 players. That is quite an achievement on the players concerned when you think that there are over 700 players signed on at the start of the season.”

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.  

Jane Griffiths, the Charity’s Community Fundraiser, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to receive another fantastic donation from the SWSC. Their continued support to our lifesaving charity is outstanding and they’ve raised an incredible £104,440 since 2004.

“We would like to thank everyone who was involved in arranging another successful event, as well as all the clubs who have kindly given up their courses during the event, and a special thanks to all the sponsors.

"Every donation helps keep our helicopters in the air so we can continue to take the emergency department to the patient, saving time and saving lives.”

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com. 

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711. 

For more information on South Wales Seniors Classic visit its website www.swsc.co.uk