One of Britain’s largest transport providers is making a lifesaving difference raising thousands of pounds for Wales Air Ambulance, during its 25th anniversary year.
Edwards Coaches employs around five hundred people in Wales and the South West of England, with its main base in Llantrisant and depots in Swansea, Bristol and Plymouth.
It is the official travel partner for Team Wales and the national rugby team.
The company first announced its Charity partnership in January 2026. Over the past few months its team have taken an active interest in the work of the lifesaving service and visited its base in Cardiff Bay.
Simon Ingham, Edwards Coaches’ Commercial Manager said: “As a company we are proud to support the lifesaving work of Wales Air Ambulance. As a transport provider we regularly see the benefits it brings to the scene across the road network.
“When someone is critically ill or injured, the highly skilled crew on board bring hope. They are making a lifesaving difference every day across Wales.”
Simon says the response to the Charity partnership from staff and customer has been ‘outstanding’. He added: “Everyone has a story, whether it’s a family member, friend, colleague or neighbour. It’s moving, to hear them share their experiences.
“They feel so connected to the service and are very supportive of the Charity. Everyone has been very generous with their time and money.”
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.
Wales Air Ambulance’s emblem features on the back of one of Edwards’ vehicles that is deployed on the 400 service to Cardiff and the 100 service to Pontypridd from Beddau.
Simon said: “We are using the back of our buses to shine a light on Wales Air Ambulance and to encourage people to help fundraise”.
The transport provider has organised a variety of fundraising activities already this year.
“We want to make it fun for the staff, and our customers”, he said. “In January we took a coach to Bournemouth for our ‘Customer Reunion’, and did raffles, bingo and suchlike. That raised quite a bit. We have more events planned for later in the year.”
There have been coffee mornings and a ‘grow your own water cress’ competition, with the winner receiving a free lunch.
Nia Evans, Edwards Coaches’ Marketing Manager, says the partnership has ‘inspired everyone’.
“The athletes in our team, are really challenging themselves!”, she said. “Damien Evans from our Transport team ran the London Marathon raising over £1,000.
“In a few weeks, we are hosting a Charity football match, with our staff at Bristol depot taking on their colleagues from Llantrisant.
“In September, we are hosting an 800k Extreme Challenge, which involves cycling, running and rowing.
“There will also be a gala evening at the Village Hotel in Cardiff in October for our customers. They are like family and we are incredibly fortunate to have their support.”
Edwards Coaches aims to raise £10,000 for Wales Air Ambulance during its Charity partnership.
Abi Pearce, Wales Air Ambulance Corporate Partnerships Manager said: “We are hugely grateful for Edwards Coaches support throughout our 25th anniversary year.
“The whole team are incredible, from taking on extreme challenges, organising gala dinners, to putting our Charity logo on the back of a bus.
“We are moved by their passion to learn about the work of our service and commitment to raising awareness.
“Corporate partnerships play a vital role in the lifesaving chain. They ensure we can continue to be there for the people of Wales, whenever and wherever they need us. Diolch yn fawr!”
