A Farmers’ Union of Wales member of staff who started weightlifting two years ago has taken on a massive personal challenge in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
42-year-old Esther Richards from Mold competed alongside over 100 people at the Deadly Dozen in September in Macclesfield.
She chose to fundraise for the lifesaving service as it’s FUW President Ian Rickman’s chosen Charity for the 2024-2026 period.
Esther who is an account executive said: “I did some research and was amazed to learn; it costs millions to run the Wales Air Ambulance a year. It’s £2,900 just to do one flight mission.
“Imagine if you were up Snowdonia walking or living in a rural community and you were seriously injured or became critically unwell, that service could make an incredible difference to your outcome.
“I don’t think many people understand that it is a Charity and relies on its supporters or even consider the logistics of funding it. It’s so special and I think many take it for granted.”
She added: “I was also surprised to learn that there is an aftercare service which provides support to patients and their families during their recovery, which I think is incredible.”
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 critical care.
Esther says, ‘it feels amazing’ to have completed a challenge in aid of ‘such an incredible service’. It is something she wouldn’t have felt capable of doing a few years ago.
She said: “I’ve never been a keep fit fanatic! I’ve got two daughters, so my priorities were always looking after them, cooking, cleaning the usual chores, as well as working full-time.
“But in 2023 I decided I needed to do something for me, outside of the normal routine and it turned out to be the best decision.
“I started weightlifting, to help with my mental health and wellbeing, and it’s something I’ve grown to love. I cannot imagine not being able to do it.
“Whenever I’ve had a hard day, or I need to work through something, I would rather lift 100 kilograms than go do a class or run.
“I’ve got the bug, and my training has evolved into me wanting to increase my strength.”
Esther attends a gym called Modified in Broughton and back in January her personal trainer Holly Walmsley asked if she would be interested in doing the Deadly Dozen. It hosts events across the globe each year.
She said: “I agreed, but only if I could do it as a relay, so she teamed me up with three other people of a similar age and physicality, who she also trains.”
Esther says to ensure she ‘stuck to the training plan’ and was committed; she needed to be held accountable. Not a ‘natural runner’ she started to add it to her routine, starting off with one minute running, one minute walking.
She said: “I decided to tell everyone I was doing the Deadly Dozen in aid of Wales Air Ambulance; to give me that added incentive.
“I would never have backed out, or let down my teammates, but it made sure I pushed on and focused on the bigger picture, which was to raise as much as I could.”
Having an end goal ‘really motivated’ Esther and on 13th September 2025 she headed to Macclesfield Leisure Centre athletics track.
She said: “The atmosphere was brilliant! I am so glad that I took a chance and went for it.
“I started off with a 400-metre run, then went straight into Farmers Carry, which is 2 kettle bells each weighing 16 kilogrammes and I had to carry those 240 metres.
“It’s equivalent to carrying a couple of heavy shopping bags in each hand, so you start to feel the burn. Then my teammate went next. After my next run I did a front carry which I had to do over 240 metres.”
Esther says it was a ‘big moment’ for her and added: “I’m so proud of what I have achieved, not just for me, but for my daughters too. It got me out of my comfort zone and made them see me in a different light.
“Who knew I could be an athlete? It’s something I would never had thought was possible. But it is such a brilliant feeling to challenge yourself.”
Esther helped raise £325 for Wales Air Ambulance and now has her sights set on doing further fundraising events in aid of the Charity.
Debra Sima, Regional Fundraising Manager for North East Wales said: “Esther really stepped up for the Deadly Dozen event!
“It takes a lot of grit, for someone who isn’t a fan of running, to set themselves such a big challenge.
“We are hugely grateful to Esther and her teammates for helping raise so much money for our Charity.
“It is the equivalent to covering the cost of ten sessions with our aftercare team, who do a
vital job supporting patients and their families during their recovery.
“Every pound raised makes such a huge difference and helps save lives across Wales.”
