A keen golfer from Burry Port doesn’t know how he is ever going to top the golf day he organised in aid of Wales Air Ambulance, last month.
49-year-old Nigel Powell, rallied over 180 golfers for his event at Ashburnham Golf Club on
Friday, 30 May 2025.
The event this year ‘was particularly poignant as it was held in memory of local motorcyclist Stephen Parker’. The 32-year-old died in a road traffic collision on Father’s Day last year.
Nigel who is a self-employed carpenter and builder said: “We wanted to do something in celebration of his life and raise funds for a cause which is close to his family’s heart.
“This was a special one for me, because Stephen, was my daughter’s partner’s brother.
“Everyone knows everyone in our village, and his dad Mal runs the Portobello Inn, and had a bucket collection going, he helped raise £1,100 which bumped up our final total.”
The father of three admits he ‘couldn’t have done it without the players and incredible sponsors’ who support him each year. Some have been doing the event since 2009.
A staggering £10,165 was raised in total for the all-Wales Charity.
Nigel said: “When I was told that, it felt quite amazing, to think that our golf day and the money from Mal’s bucket collection did that.
“It’s the equivalent to the cost of around three missions, which is incredible.
“I did a post on Facebook letting everyone know what had been achieved. It’s been fabulous to the see reaction, everyone is really chuffed.”
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 critical care.
Nigel says it ‘feels really special to know that the funds raised will go towards helping save lives.’
He added: “Golf events take a lot of organising; months of planning! You really go to the wire, the night before I was dressing the course with sponsors banners and setting up inside.
“On the day I was running around from 6am in the morning, and I didn’t finish playing golf until 3.30pm.
“Then we had a few speeches, the raffle, auction, and a bit of live music. It went on late until the early hours, some of us didn’t leave until around 2.00am the following day.”
Nigel returned to the Charity’s Dafen base this week to handover the cheque.
He said: “The first time I visited, I hoped to see the helicopter, but it was out, and it was the same again on the presentation day.
“The team were on a mission both occasions, so it goes to show how very much needed the service is.
“I did get a tour of the rapid response vehicles which were still there, I didn’t realise how much they are used and that in built up and urban areas it’s more likely that a RRV will attend.
“I got to check out the kit and find out what it’s used for, which was fascinating. I’d recommend a base visit to anyone who is thinking of fundraising for the Charity, it is inspiring.”
Emma Moore, Senior Individual Giving Manager at Wales Air Ambulance, said: “We were deeply saddened to hear about Stephen’s passing and send our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
“During a time of sadness, it is truly humbling that Nigel has organised this event in his memory. It’s such a beautiful tribute and the money raised will help to keep our helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
“A special thank you to Nigel, and all those who helped to make the day such a success.”
Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager said: “What an incredible result! When Nigel said he was doing a golf day in aid of us, he said he wanted it to be ‘about as big as it can get’, with a target of around £10,000.
“Well, he has certainly delivered on both fronts. It’s a huge amount from a single event and we are also very grateful to Mal at the Portobello Inn, the sponsors and Ashburnham Golf Club.
“The players were outstanding too both on the course, and into the early hours. I was there all day and a good time was had by all! “We couldn’t do what we do without our supporters. They ensure that we are able be there for our patients whenever and wherever they need us.”
