A Gwynedd couple have raised an incredible £20,200 for two important causes.
Hywel and Nesta Jones, who live near Bala, held an ‘auction of promises’ in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance and The Walton Centre.
Hywel, who has 6 grandchildren, needed the help of the Wales Air Ambulance medics after he suffered a brain haemorrhage, whilst out working on his farm in August 2023.
Due to the severity of his condition and the critical care that Hywel needed, a consultant and critical care practitioners from Wales Air Ambulance flew to Hywel’s aid.
Once he was stabilised Hywel was taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and was transferred during the evening to The Walton Centre in Liverpool.
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 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.
Around 130 people attended the successful auction of promises at Bala Golf Club, which saw entertainment throughout the evening, as well as the auction.
The well supported event had a variety of prizes for all ages including sheep shearing of 100 ewes, meals out and fencing.
A grateful Nesta said: “Everyone was amazing, people that couldn’t attend the auction gave a donation or offered a prize. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the entertainment was good too. We are very proud how much was raised.
“The Wales Air Ambulance did an amazing job on Hywel. You never know when you need them.”
Hywel and Nesta recently met Elaine Orr, Wales Air Ambulance’ North Wales Regional Fundraising Manger and some of the north Wales crew at Caernarfon airbase when they presented the crew with half of the auction funds of £10,100.
A grateful Elaine Orr, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Hywel and Nesta during the cheque presentation. It is incredible that following Hywel’s brain haemorrhage that the family wanted to raise funds for two important causes that helped Hywel. The family knows firsthand how important our service is to the people of Wales, wherever they are. Hywel is thankful to the medics for helping save his life and the ‘auction of promises’ was a wonderful way to say thank you.
“A huge thank you to the family and everyone who played a part in the auction of promises, whether that was donating a prize, organising the fundraiser or bidding. You’ve all helped raise over £20,000, which is amazing.
“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 our rapid response vehicles on the road. You’ve all played a part in saving lives across the country. Thank you so much.”
