Montgomeryshire Vintage Club members have raised vital funds for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity during a tractor run in memory of their late club president.

The Gron Bumford Memorial Tractor Run took place earlier this year and, at the request of Mr Bumford’s family, the £440 raised was recently donated to the lifesaving helicopter charity.

The 30 participants who took part in the event journeyed through the Powys communities of Cyfronydd, Llanfair Caereinion, Cefn Coch, New Mills, Bwlch-y-Ffridd and Bettws Cedewain.

This is not the first time that the Montgomeryshire Vintage Club has raised money for Wales Air Ambulance. Over the past three years, they have donated an incredible £1,125.

Dougie Bancroft, a Community Fundraiser for the Charity, said: “We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Mr Bumford’s family, all those who took part in the tractor run, and all the communities who kindly donated. The money raised by the Montgomeryshire Vintage Club in Mr Bamford’s name is a fitting legacy as it will allow us to continue helping people in their time of great need.

“We know how important our service is for rural communities and every donation is vital to make sure we can keep our helicopters flying for the people of Montgomeryshire and Wales.”

Montgomeryshire Vintage Club was formed in 1994 to cater for those interested in vintage vehicles and equipment of all types. The Club organises the vintage displays at several local shows including Guilsfield, Oswestry, Llanfyllin, Berriew and Llanfair Caereinion. 

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.