Twelve members of Barcud Group have been training hard for the Cardiff Half Marathon this weekend, to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
Over 27,000 runners are expected on the start line in the Welsh capital on Sunday 4 October, 2026.
Staff at the not-for-profit housing association nominated the lifesaving service as their chosen Charity at their annual colleague conference last Winter.
Jason Jones, CEO of Barcud Group, said, “It’s great that our colleagues have agreed to take on this long-distance running challenge.
“We are very proud of everyone doing what they can to help raise funds for our charity of the year.
“We hope everyone will help us raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause.”
Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that brings hospital-standard treatments directly to patients. When required, its teams can transfer patients 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.
Barcud Group have set themselves a fundraising target for Cardiff Half Marathon of £2,500 for Wales Air Ambulance.
Jason Jarrams, a Multi Trade Operative in Barcud’s Medra Maintenance team, has a very personal reason for taking on the challenge. In 2014, he was involved in a road traffic collision, which was attended by Wales Air Ambulance. He now wants to ‘give something back’ to the Charity. This will be his tenth half marathon in five years.
Some of those taking part have never run a half marathon before including Rhodri Beaumont, a Sustainment Officer with Barcud’s Cynnal Team. Day to day Rhodri, who lives in Cwmann with his wife and two daughters, helps Barcud housing tenants to sustain their tenancies.
This is a first for Phil Dayus-Johnson, who feels ‘this is too good an opportunity to miss to support a great charity’. Phil lives in Aberystwyth and day to day is an Independent Living Scheme Co-ordinator. Megan Watkin, a Housing Officer who is based in Newtown Powys, has never taken part or completed an organised race before.
Emma Cliff, Service Delivery Manager with Barcud subsidiary Care & Repair Powys, based in Newtown, has run a marathon previously and regularly runs lots of different distances. Non Edwards, PA to the CEO of Barcud Group; Keith Evans, Health & Safety Manager and Rhiannon Staley, Head of Governance, have previously completed Cardiff Half Marathons.
Emma Grant, Public Affairs Lead for Wales Air Ambulance said, “Wales Air Ambulance is funded by the people of Wales; we rely entirely on the public’s support to help keep the helicopters flying and the rapid response vehicles on the road.
“Every pound of the £13 million needed every year is raised through charitable donations, fundraising events, legacies, our shops, and membership of our in-house Lifesaving Lottery.”
