Brecon Mountain Railway will hold a special fundraising weekend in aid of a lifesaving charity after its medics were called out to a medical emergency near the railway.
The Wales Air Ambulance landed at Brecon Mountain Railway newly completed car park, which highlighted the importance of suitable landing locations and rapid access during medical emergencies.
The special fundraising weekend will take place Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October.
Brecon Mountain Railway wanted to find a practical way to support the Charity and help visitors learn more about its remarkable. The railway will donate £1 to the Wales Air Ambulance for every passenger who travels on the Brecon Mountain Railway during that weekend.
As well as donations from passengers’ tickets, the Brecon Mountain Railway will also have further ways in which passengers can help the lifesaving service, which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Passengers will have an opportunity to add an extra donation when booking their railway tickets, as well as donating on the day.
The Wales Air Ambulance will be in attendance during the weekend and will be selling mechanise in aid of the Charity.
Stuart Williams, Brecon Mountain Railway General Manager, said: “The recent use of our new car park by the Wales Air Ambulance gave us a very real demonstration of just how vital this service is. The helicopter was able to land close to the scene of an emergency, providing the medical team with quick and straightforward access to the casualty when every minute mattered.
“In my voluntary role as a Community First Responder, I have also personally attended incidents where we have been supported by the Wales Air Ambulance’s specialist clinicians. Their skills and ability to reach patients quickly are especially important in rural communities such as ours.
“We are therefore extremely pleased to support this lifesaving Charity and hope that our fundraising weekend will raise both valuable funds and greater awareness of its remarkable work.”
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 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.
Hugh Tamlyn, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager for the area, said: “A huge thank you to Brecon Mountain Railway for choosing to raise funds for our all-Wales lifesaving service. It is wonderful to hear that the railway wanted to raise funds for our Charity after our helicopter had to land in its car park. We really appreciate the support from Brecon Mountain Railway.
“The fundraising weekend sounds like a wonderful fundraiser. Our team will be in attendance so come along and learn more about our all-Wales Charity.
“Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £13 million every year to keep our helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. This special fundraising weekend will play in part in saving lives across Wales. Thank you so much.” For more information about Brecon Mountain Railway visit www.bmr.wales
