Published: 21 December 2023

A valleys jockey has been showing his support for the Wales Air Ambulance this year and raised over £1,700.

Conor Ring, from Pontyclun, has supported the Charity in a unique way – enhancing the brand of the all-Wales Charity across his racing attire, instead of promoting a business.

The unique idea came about after conditional jockey Conor sought a sponsor. Féilim O Muiri, offered to sponsor Conor, and proposed the idea that his sponsorship space could be used to promote a charity.

Using the Charity’s logo was approved by the British Horseracing Authority and speaking on why he wanted to support the charity, Conor said: “Féilim came up with the idea to carry a charity logo on all my racing gear to give them as much publicity as possible and help raise funds. It is normal for jockeys to carry the logos of businesses on there gear, because as a jockey we travel to many racecourses around the U.K and meet lots of people. We also get a lot of TV exposure that can be seen by millions, but this is the first time its been done for a charity.

“Credit to Féilim for the idea and I’m sure in the future many more people will be doing this. We decided to choose the Wales Air Ambulance because we thought it was a very important charity and people can quickly forget about the lives they save every day. The Wales Air Ambulance is a charity that must be supported because one day we could all be in need their help.”

Conor, who works for Evan Williams training racehorses in the vale of Glamorgan, took his support to the next level when he swapped the racetrack for his running shoes and completed the Loch Ness Marathon, which he completed in October.

This was Conor’s first attempt at a marathon and fundraising. He said: “I wanted to help raise some money for the Wales Air Ambulance so I set up a fundraising page and I managed to raise £1,746. This was my first time raising money for charity. It was a great experience and I’m sure I’ll do another one again.”

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. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery. 

The Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Laura Coyne, Wales Air Ambulance’s Community Fundraising Manager, said: “What a wonderful and generous idea of Féilim to include a charity instead of a business on Conor’s racing gear. The Charity is exteremly grateful to Féilim and Conor for supporting the Wales Air Ambulance throughout the year. Conor even took this a step further by taking on his first ever marathon to raise funds for our lifesaving charity and raised an amazing £1,746. The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million each year to continue to save lives, with the exposure and fundraising from Féilim and Conor they are helping the charity to continue to save lives throughout Wales.”

“We wish Conor all the best as he enters a new season and thank him and Féilim for their continued support.”

The Charity and Conor would also like to send gratitude to Ffos Las and Chepstow racecourses, who have given a page free of charge in their race card, on more than one occasion