The Wales Air Ambulance Charity is excited to team up with the Swansea City Foundation for a fire walk challenge to celebrate the lifesaving service’s 25th anniversary.
Over 56,000 missions have been carried out by Wales Air Ambulance since the first flight took off from Fairwood Airport in Swansea on the 1st of March 2001.
To kick off the celebrations, the Charity is turning up the heat and challenging supporters to sign up for the event on Thursday, 19 March 2026 at the Swansea.com Stadium, which is sponsored by Compass Cymru.
All funds raised on the night will be shared between the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and the charitable arm of Swansea City Football Club, the Swansea City AFC Foundation.
Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive, said: “Our 25th anniversary is a special milestone for our Charity, an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come.
“We are here because of the people of Wales; they help us raise the £13 million needed each year to keep our helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road.
“Our incredible supporters are a key part of our Welsh success story, and we will be marking our quarter of a century of service in many ways this year. The fire walk is part of this, and we hope those who take part will never forget the experience.
“Vitor Matos’s team bring the fire on the field in the Championship, and this is the Jack Army’s chance to bring their own flare to SA1.”
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 £13 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.
Dr Barnes added: “We hope that the fire walk challenge will not only inspire people but also help raise funds for our Charity and the Swansea City AFC Foundation, which does impactful work in communities across Wales.
“I want to extend my thanks on behalf of the Charity to Swansea City Football Club for opening its doors and hosting this unique event. Collaboration is key to all that we do, and working in partnership with the club on this initiative is a very proud moment.
“Every pound raised on the night will help save lives and support people through programmes in education, health and wellbeing, youth engagement and inclusion.”
Swansea City AFC Foundation visited Wales Air Ambulance’s Dafen base in December and met with clinicians. Twenty members of staff spent the day at the Charity’s headquarters learning about the work of the lifesaving service and celebrating the Foundation’s successes during 2025.
14,728 people took part in 4,490 Swansea City Foundation sessions during 2025. With a 112,816 attendance.
Emma Jones, Swansea City AFC Foundation Fundraising Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to join Wales Air Ambulance for their 25th birthday Fire Walk challenge.
“Their lifesaving work touches communities across Wales, and bringing the Jack Army together to support them in such a unique way is a win‑win for us all.
“We’re privileged to make a real impact in our community through the work of the Swans Foundation, but no single organisation can meet every need. Partnering with Wales Air Ambulance celebrates both organisations, which was a no-brainer for us.
“Every brave step is more than a challenge – it directly supports the life‑changing and life‑saving work of the Swans Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance in communities across Wales.”
If you would like to find out more or sign up for this fiery challenge you can do so by visiting our website page.
swanseafirewalk.walesairambulance.com
