Booker Cardiff has thrown its support behind the Wales Air Ambulance by promoting the Charity’s branding on one of its HGV lorries.
The newly branded lorry is now on the road, helping to raise awareness of the Charity across Wales.
Booker Cardiff will also use the branded lorry to support the Charity with transport during its Cycle 100km event on Sunday 6 September.
The company was keen to support the all-Wales Charity after one of its crew was called out to colleague Steve Hughes’ family members in 2022.
Steve’s mother and niece were returning home from a shopping trip when they were involved in a road traffic accident.
Steve, Senior Operations Clerk for Booker Cardiff, said: “Tragically, neither my mother nor my niece could be saved. Wales Air Ambulance were fantastic in dealing with such a challenging situation and showed the utmost respect to our family.
“It’s crucial that a charity as important as Wales Air Ambulance gets the funding and awareness it needs to continue providing such a brilliant service for the people of Wales.”
Steve is grateful that Booker Cardiff is helping raise awareness of the Charity. He said: “I would like to also thank Booker for allowing us to be advocates and doing something that hasn’t been done before, by Booker, for this Charity. Wrapping a vehicle doesn’t sound much to some people but for us, it’s a perfect way to show our support and continue raising awareness for such a vital service.”
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.
Phae Jones, Wales Air Ambulance’s Director of Income Generation, said: “Thank you to everyone at Booker Cardiff. We truly appreciate your support of our Charity. It is humbling that, after Steve tragically lost his mother and niece, he wanted Booker to support the Wales Air Ambulance, and this is a wonderful way to do it.
“The lorry looks fantastic. It’s unmissable and will bring awareness of the Wales Air Ambulance to everyone on the roads. We are also delighted that the company has pledged its support during our Cycle 100km event in September.
“Thank you so much to everyone at Booker Cardiff for promoting our Charity in its 25th anniversary year.”
