Sixteen financial professionals will be making a lifesaving difference at this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon by running in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
Quantum Advisory is a leading pensions and employee benefits consultancy for small and medium sized schemes and employers.
It has four main offices across the UK, with team members set to travel from Birmingham and London to join their South Wales colleagues on the start line in October.
John Plenderleith, 30, who has worked for the company for nine years, said: “We do lots of fundraising activities throughout the year, and love to give back to causes which make a difference on a national and local level.
“Cardiff Half is one of the largest events that we do, and this year we are delighted to have secured sixteen Charity spaces in support of Wales Air Ambulance.”
This is the fourth year that staff have taken part in the Cardiff Half, but it is the first time the company has fielded a large team of runners for a chosen beneficiary.
Quantum Advisory is a generous supporter of Wales Air Ambulance and has been fundraising for the Charity since 2022. Its staff volunteer their time, and the company took a table at the 25th anniversary gala dinner at Celtic Manor in June.
John said: “Over the years, we have individually entered the Cardiff Half and chosen our own charities.
“But this year is quite special, we have been fortunate to secure sixteen Charity spaces and aim to raise as much as we can to mark Wales Air Ambulance’s special year!”
The team recently hosted a fundraising sports day at their Cardiff office, with staff members competing in egg and spoon, and sack races.
John said: “It is fun getting everyone together, we always have a brilliant time. We are fortunate to have such an excellent group of colleagues who really get behind causes.
“They are making plans, for race day, with cheer stations lining the route. Crowd support is always amazing; it is extra motivating to see familiar faces along the route.”
He continued: “In the back of our minds, we will be thinking about Wales Air Ambulance and the lifesaving difference it makes each day.
“It relies on fundraisers to help keep the service going. So that will give us an extra push towards the finish line!”
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.
“Our team has a special connection with the lifesaving service, through one of the partners who is a Trustee,” said John.
“We have been fortunate to attend the Cardiff base, see the operation up close and meet the crew, who are all highly skilled.
“When you see the helicopter returning from a mission, it puts things in perspective. You cannot imagine what the team face each day, but it is reassuring to know that they are there if you need them.”
One percent of the runners taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon on Saturday, 4 October 2026, will be pulling on the iconic red Wales Air Ambulance jersey and raising vital funds.
Amanda Burdge is a Partner at Quantum Advisory and was appointed a Trustee for Wales Air Ambulance six years ago. “I am incredibly proud to represent Wales Air Ambulance, whether it is at Trustee meetings or during volunteer days,” Amanda said.
“It is wonderful that both my roles are now overlapping and that our company is fielding such a large team at the Cardiff Half Marathon.
“Everyone is so motivated, there’s a WhatsApp group and lots of exchanges about how training is going.”
She laughed as she added: “Things are getting quite competitive! But it is all in good fun, and everyone is determined to raise as much as they can.”
Phae Jones, Wales Air Ambulance’s Director of Income Generation said: “Quantum Advisory will be quite a vision of red on the start line at Cardiff Half Marathon this autumn!
“We are delighted that sixteen staff have secured Charity places and will be running in aid of Wales Air Ambulance in October.
“Our supporters are key to the chain of survival and ensure that we continue to be there for the people of Wales wherever and whenever they need us.
“The Quantum Advisory team are playing an important role, by training, challenging themselves and raising vital funds, they are making a lifesaving difference. Diolch yn fawr!”
