Wales Air Ambulance is delighted to have received over £15,000 from NFU Mutual Ceredigion and Llandovery.
The donation was part of this years NFU Mutual Agency Giving Fund, which saw both the Tregaron and Llanybydder offices nominate the lifesaving Charity to receive the £15,798.
The Agency Giving Fund was set up in 2020 after NFU Mutual recognised the vital need of supporting frontline charities. To date, NFU Mutual has distributed a total of £11.09 million to champion the vital work of small, local, charities all across the UK.
The Wales Air Ambulance will be using the donations to help pay for the fixtures and fittings to enable them to install a babypod on board their aircraft, which will make a huge impact on the lives of their youngest patients.
The Charity attends on average 28 neonates per year, and in certain cases where there is a prolonged transfer to specialist care required, the Babypod provides a safe and warm environment for the most vulnerable patients. Cases can be in the community at a mothers home, at a midwifery unit, or in hospitals without specialist care.
The Charity already has the vital babypods equipment which can help babies who may have been born prematurely, or they may be suffering from a medical condition that requires specialist care a long way from home.
Hannah Mitchell, Grant and Trust Fundraiser for the Wales Air Ambulance, was invited to the NFU Mutual Tregaron offices to meet the staff and accept the cheque from both branches, said: “It was lovely to meet the local NFU Mutual staff, we’re so grateful for their generosity and support. It is clear how important Wales Air Ambulance is to the rural and farming communities in Wales, our helicopters can handle challenging conditions and land in different environments from remote to built up areas.
“Wales Air Ambulance would like to thank everyone at NFU Mutual Ceredigion and Llandovery offices for nominating the Charity. The funds will enable us to purchase the mounting kit, which will help to transport our youngest patients.
“Having the equipment on board means that advanced and emergency treatment can be carried out in-flight, such as managing a difficult or blocked airway, or administering drugs. The babypod itself is constructed from lightweight carbon/composite fibre and, with the mounting kit, can be secured to the transport stretcher in the aircraft.
“We really appreciate the support from NFU Mutual. We’re so pleased that we can enhance our lifesaving service for our youngest patients in Wales through this funding. Thank you all so much.”
Wales Air Ambulance is on standby 24/7 to attend those suffering a life or limb-threatening injury or illness.
As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated crews will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver lifesaving care.
Heather Holgate, NFU Mutual Agent & NFU Cymru Group Secretary said: “We’re extremely proud to have nominated Wales Air Ambulance for this donation and are delighted to be able to support the vital contribution they make to our community.
“The purpose of NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund is to support local frontline charities who are providing essential services to people in our community, and our agency felt that Wales Air Ambulance was a very deserving cause to champion.”
For more information on how you can support the Wales Air Ambulance visit www.walesairambulance.com
