A group of bankers will be pulling on their hiking boots this weekend and heading up Wales’ largest mountain to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
NatWest Cymru’s staff voted for the lifesaving service to be its Charity partner for 2025 to 26. They aim to raise £60,000.
The bank’s North and South-West Wales team have organised a walking challenge up Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon on Sunday, 12 July 2026.
Nadine Bartlett is a Personal Banker at the Aberystwyth branch and has been with the team for fourteen years.
She said: “We live in such a beautiful part of the world, and there is nothing more iconic than Yr Wyddfa!
“When we learnt the NatWest team were organising a hike, both my colleague Jack and I signed up.
“We knew we would have to up our fitness levels to get prepared, so brought a treadmill in branch.”
Staff members wearing air ambulance t-shirts and PE kit have been taking it in turns during work hours, helping drum up support and raising awareness.
Nadine said: “We wanted to ensure all our team felt involved, and part of the fundraiser! Those that cannot make it, have been contributing by clocking up the hours whilst on shift.
“Yr Wyddfa as a trip, is 9 miles there and back, and previously we have set ourselves mileage goals, this year, it’s all about the timing!
“We have done at least nine hours each over the last couple of weeks, which doesn’t sound a lot, but in-between doing your shift and helping customers, it has been quite tough going.
“We wanted to make sure Jack and I had a good pace, and I think we are now ready for what is ahead.”
There have been ‘many highlights in the build-up’, but Nadine says one of her favourite moments, was when their branch manager, was on the treadmill.
She said: “Our customers donated generously, because they like to see Emyr working up a bit of a sweat!”
It will be an early start for those taking part in the hike on Sunday. Nadine admits that she is not looking forward to the 4.00 am alarm clock.
She said: “My biggest concern is how early we are getting up and making sure we are ready at the bottom of the mountain, ready for the off.”
NatWest Cymru employs more than five hundred staff across Wales. It has 600,000 customers across all divisions and has a significant footprint. Around £3.6 billion is invested in businesses in Wales and nearly £9 billion in the retail space.
Nadine said: “We have such a fantastic team across Wales and at the start of the year we all put a plan together around fundraising.
“The aim is always to try and raise as much as we can for the Charity. We all have different ideas, and I have taken the lead in our branch.
“Locally there are still a few things to come like our race night and hamper giveaways. We are just doing all we can to make a lifesaving difference.”
The 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.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Nadine feels ‘fortunate’ that she has never had a need to use the service herself, and hopes she never does. But she said: “It is reassuring to know that it is there, should the need arise.
“I see our fundraising, as paying forward, making sure that Wales Air Ambulance is always there for the people of Wales.
“Since the start of our partnership we have heard all sorts of stories from those who have been supported and the impact it has, on those facing a life-or-death situation.
“We understand the value it brings, and the lifesaving difference it is making every day.”
Kirstin Jenkins, Local Director for North & West Wales said: “Our team have done a fantastic job organising fundraising activities, like our Yr Wyddfa challenge in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
“The walk is being undertaken by North and South-West Wales direct and local banking team members along with our family and friends.
“We are all very much looking forward to getting to the top of Wales’ highest mountain on Sunday for such a worthwhile cause.”
NatWest Cymru’s North and South-West teams are hoping people will donate to their funding page Sponsor Me – Online fundraising Service
Emily Bell, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance said: “It’s been wonderful to join the team at NatWest’s Aberystwyth branch as they prepare for their hike up Yr Wyddfa!
“They are doing an incredible job fundraising for our Charity, from Emyr cooking pancakes for customers on Shrove Tuesday, to race and quiz nights, hamper giveaways and raffles.
“The staff have all been pitching in, even motivating Nadine and Jack as they prepare to join colleagues from across Wales, for their big hike this Sunday.
“We wish all those taking part the very best and look forward to seeing all the selfies at the summit. Diolch yn fawr!”
