A kind-hearted centenarian has presented the Wales Air Ambulance with a cheque of over £2,342 after requesting donations to the Charity instead of presents to mark her milestone birthday.

Instead of asking family, friends and community members for special gifts to acknowledge her 100^th birthday – Annabelle Thomas - put her thoughts towards other people.

Mrs Thomas from Llangammarch Wells, Powys celebrated her 100^th birthday on 28 June by holding a birthday bash at the Alexandra Hall in Llangammarch Wells.

Mrs Thomas’ proud relative, Susan Price described Mrs Thomas as an absolute mine of information when it comes to local history and is always happy to share her memories.

Mrs Thomas had advised well-wishers that she had no need for gifts, but if they wanted to mark the occasion then a small donation to Wales Air Ambulance would be greatly appreciated.

Mrs Thomas was delighted to recently present the £2,342 cheque to the Wales Air Ambulance volunteer, Tina Ford. The final amount included several anonymous donations.

The Wales Air Ambulance service offers advanced critical care across Wales. It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership between the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS Cymru). As a result, the service is consultant-led and is known as a ‘flying emergency department’, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient at the scene of an incident. This includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

The Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Helen Pruett, Wales Air Ambulance’s Community Fundraiser said: “Firstly, we’d like to wish Mrs Thomas a happy 100^th birthday. It’s people like Mrs Thomas that keep our four helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road, by doing selfless things – like asking for donations to our 24/7 Charity instead of presents to mark their special milestone. Mrs Thomas is helping us be there for the people of Wales when they need us mostly. Thank you so much for raising so much money for the Wales Air Ambulance.”