Swansea Building Society has chosen the Wales Air Ambulance as its staff Charity of the Year for the second year running.

The staff, who hope to raise £10,000 during the year for the Wales Air Ambulance, has so far donated £2,500, which was raised through a virtual AGM vote.

Last year despite the challenges that the Coronavirus pandemic presented Swansea Building Society donated a fantastic £10,718.

If covid restrictions are lifted staff will take part in fundraising activities throughout the year, with all the money going to the Charity. At present staff have a dress down event each month, as part of their fundraiser.

The Wales Air Ambulance was chosen after executive members of the team nominated three charities for Charity of the Year. Staff then voted which charity they’d like to support. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic Swansea Building Society extended the Wales Air Ambulance as its Charity of the Year for a further year.

Swansea Building Society, which highlights the work of the Wales Air Ambulance on its website, is ‘very proud’ to support the charity and feel that their support to the lifesaving charity ‘is vital’.

Alun Williams, chief executive of Swansea Building Society, said: “It’s a great privilege to be able to support Wales Air Ambulance as Swansea Building Society’s official staff charity for another year. It’s been an incredibly challenging 18 months for the charitable sector, with many usual fundraising methods and activities being curtailed. However, the vital lifesaving service Wales Air Ambulance provides has remained as necessary as ever, and that is why we have felt it important to make these donations throughout the year rather than in one lump at years’ end, as we normally would.

“Our latest donation of £2,500 to Wales Air Ambulance was based on a pound for each vote received at our recent AGM; we thank the Society’s members and staff for their continuing generosity. This is a great start to our fundraising for 2021, and we and look forward to raising even more in the coming months.”

In December 2020, the Charity achieved its aim of operating a 24/7 service. Wales now has access to the service’s Emergency Department-standard critical care around the clock and to keep the helicopters in the air, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year. 

Mark Stevens, Wales Air Ambulance fundraising manager, said: “Everybody at Swansea Building Society has shown incredible generosity towards our Charity. We are humbled by their continued support and are proud to be associated with them. 2020 has been a significant year in our history, as we achieved our aim of becoming a 24 /7 lifesaving service, 7 days a week.

“This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary and we are delighted that Swansea Building Society will be a part of this significant milestone.”

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 Swansea Building Society visit www.swansea-bs.co.uk/content/swansea-building-society-news

*Please note the image of Swansea Building Society Staff with the Wales Air Ambulance medics was taken prior to Covid-19 restrictions.