Former Mayor of Flint Russ Davies raised £500 for an all-Wales charity during his civic year.
During his 2025-26 term as Mayor, Councillor Russ Davies and Mayoress, Councillor Norma Davies raised funds for several charities, including Wales Air Ambulance.
After choosing the Wales Air Ambulance as one of the mayor’s chosen charities for the year, the Mayor and Mayoress were invited to the Charity’s Caernarfon airbase.
During the visit they received a warm welcome from the dedicated staff and highly skilled crew, who took the time to share their experiences and the vital, lifesaving work they carry out across Wales.
Reflecting on why the lifesaving Charity was chosen to benefit from the fundraising, Councillor Davies, said: “As I look back on my time as Mayor of Flint, supporting the Wales Air Ambulance was a very personal and straightforward choice for my civic year. Living in North Wales, we all understand just how essential this service is. Over the years, we have seen numerous instances where people right here in Flint, as well as the surrounding area, have directly benefited from their immediate response.
“It is a unique and vital lifeline, capable of reaching remote or difficult locations, delivering critical emergency medical care on the spot, and getting patients to the specialist hospital. There is no doubt that getting treatment so quickly not only saves lives but also preserves the quality of people’s lives following a severe medical crisis.
“Nobody ever wishes to find themselves in a situation where they need emergency critical care. However, it provides immense peace of mind and reassurance to know that if the worst should happen, the Wales Air Ambulance is ready to come to our aid.
“I am acutely aware of just how expensive it is to keep these helicopters in the air and maintain such a high level of critical care. It relies heavily on the exceptional skill, dedication, and expertise of the crews, medical teams, and support staff. Their unwavering commitment is deeply appreciated by the people of Flint.”
The £500 was raised through several initiatives during the councillor’s mayoral year, culminating in the Mayor’s Civic Ball.
The Wales Air Ambulance service is a consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatment to patients and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. It is delivered through a unique partnership between the third sector and public sector.
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.
A grateful, Councillor Davies, said: “The event was generously supported by so many local individuals, community organisations, and businesses from across Flint and the surrounding area.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks once again to everyone who contributed, donated prizes, or attended. This donation is a direct result of our community’s remarkable generosity, and I am proud that Flint can play a part in supporting such a lifesaving cause.”
Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager for the area, said: “A huge thank to Councillor Russ Davies and Councillor Norma Davies for choosing the Wales Air Ambulance as one of the charities to benefit from your fundraising. We really appreciate the support we have received from you both, and I was delighted to receive a cheque of £500.
“The Wales Air Ambulance relies on public donations to raise £13 million every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Fundraisers, like this, will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. Thank you so much.”
