A kind-hearted Pembrokeshire Great-Grandmother chose to celebrate her special 90th birthday milestone by asking for donations in lieu of gifts for a lifesaving charity.
Rather than receiving presents to celebrate her nine decades Doreen Harries, from Jefferyston, Tenby, wanted her birthday to make a difference and requested that friends and family donate to the Wales Air Ambulance on her special day.
Doreen, who has lived at her farmhouse since she married her late husband John, over 70 years ago, has four daughters, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She celebrated her 90th birthday on Sunday, 19 July by holding a tea party with 70 guests at East Williamston Hall.
Her generous family and friends helped raised an incredible £950 for the all-Wales Charity.
Doreen’s youngest daughter, Jan Phelan, said: “Mum said she wanted a party, but she didn’t want any gifts. She said ‘‘I’m 90, and I’ve got all I want here with my family’.
“She loved her birthday and it was really nice. Even the week after the party she had people coming over and giving donations for the Charity. It was a really beautiful day.”
The Charity’s Director of Finance, Jayne Tucker, recently had the pleasure of meeting Doreen, having a cup of tea and collecting the cheque from Doreen following her 90th birthday celebrations.
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.
Jayne Tucker, Wales Air Ambulance’s Director of Finance, said: “A huge thank you to Doreen for asking for donations in lieu of gifts to celebrate her special birthday, it is such a kind gesture. We are so grateful that Doreen wanted to turn her 90th birthday milestone into such a meaningful way to help others across Wales. Thank you to everyone for giving donations instead of gifts to mark her birthday. Everyone who helped raise the incredible £950 will play a part in helping save more lives across Wales.
“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. Donations like this, will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.
“It was an absolute pleasure to recently meet Doreen, and it sounds like Doreen, her family and friends all enjoyed celebrating her 90th birthday. Thank you so much, Doreen.”
