Horse, pony and dog enthusiasts in Mid Wales have helped raise thousands of pounds over the years for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, thanks to the kindness of the Anchor Show.
The annual event is held each August at Nantyrhunna Hill. There is no entrance fee for competitors or spectators, instead they are encouraged to donate to the lifesaving service.
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 Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 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.
Members of the Anchor and District Pony Breeders’ Society recently had the opportunity to visit the Wales Air Ambulance where they handed over a cheque to Kate Thomas, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for Powys.
The Society’s secretary Terri Jones was keen to learn about the work being done by the service’s patient liaison team.
It supports patients and their families following incidents attended by Wales Air Ambulance as part of the Charity’s aftercare service. This includes bereavement support for those who have lost loved ones.
Terri said: “It always makes you feel more connected when you meet those behind the service. Over the years, we’ve got to chat with pilots and clinicians.
“On this occasion, it was wonderful to spend time with Hayley Whitehead-Wright, the patient liaison nurse for North Wales, North Powys and North Ceredigion.
“She gave us such amazing insight into the work her team does.
“We had no idea that the air ambulance followed through from their initial contact with a patient.”
She continued: “It was amazing to learn about the work being done to help people with their recovery, including their family members.
“It must be so traumatic for the patient, especially if they are conscious, but also their loved ones if they don’t make it.”
Terri added: “We were told how this service is helping people understand what happened to them, going through the timeline of events and medical interventions.
“It’s wonderful that they get to meet those who helped them in their time of need and get to say thank you too, it must be quite overwhelming.”
The air ambulance service in Wales would not be possible without donations and fundraising events.
Terri said: “It’s an extraordinarily expensive service, so we always try to do what we can to help with the cost.
“The Anchor Show is known as little and friendly, and quite small compared to most.
“But we do it for the local community really. It’s a good day out for everyone but also an opportunity for them to donate to such an amazing lifesaving cause.”
She continued: “We were so happy to hand over a cheque for £2,200 during our last base visit, which was the proceeds of our 2022 and 2023 shows.
“It always feels so much more special going along and meeting everyone. You feel a real part of it all and that you are doing something valuable. It spurs you on to do more.”
Terri added: “We’ve just added up the donations for our August event and we are in the process of raising another cheque for the Charity for £1,000.”
Kate Thomas, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for Powys, said: “It was wonderful to welcome the Anchor Show organisers.
“We think it is important to connect our fundraisers with our crew and introduce them to Hayley, our patient liaison nurse.
“Terri is right, our service is costly to run. That is why we are so grateful for the consistent support of organisations like the Anchor and District Pony Breeders’ Society.
“We really cannot thank the team enough for all their support over the years.”
