Two Wales Air Ambulance volunteers have found another novel way of supporting the lifesaving service, by making and selling bird houses in aid of the Charity.

Husband and wife Ray and Pam Morgan, from Newport in Gwent, came across the idea by chance when their own bird box became damaged.

Pam said: “My bird house was broken beyond repair. I was going to buy a new one but Ray said he would make one. It was so nice and he then made a bird house for our daughter who lives in Germany. Our neighbours commented on how bright and colourful they were and that’s when the idea came to make some more to sell in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.”

The retired couple started making the bird houses at the beginning of the pandemic last year, and have also created nesting boxes. The wood was kindly donated by their local Handyman Stores and Terry Howells of Newport which has allowed them to create 35 items so far.

Describing the creation process, Pam said: “Ray makes them on sticks and puts them in garden pots filled with cement. There are many different colours and sizes, as well as some quirky castle bird houses. We have already sold a few through word of mouth.”

The bird houses are priced between £20 and £35, while the nesting boxes are £5 each. Anybody interested in purchasing them can call 07522 669472.

Ray and Pam have been Wales Air Ambulance volunteers for several years, doing car boot fairs and running a pop-up shop in their local area. They have raised several hundred pounds in the process.

Pam added: “My husband made these for the Charity as they do a great job and they need funds to save more lives.”

Elin Murphy, the Charity’s South Wales Community Fundraiser, said: “Ray and Pam already contribute a huge amount to our lifesaving service through their vital volunteering roles. This new initiative to raise funds for our charity is just wonderful and we cannot thank them enough. Those who purchase either a bird house or nesting box will not only have the pleasure of watching and supporting their local wildlife but will be helping us to be there for people in need across Wales.

“Generosity like this is so important to us. By keeping our helicopters in the air we can continue to take the emergency department to the patient, saving time and saving lives.”

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.

Wales Air Ambulance has four aircraft based across Wales, in Dafen, Caernarfon, Welshpool and Cardiff.

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.

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.