Two Welsh urban explorers who regularly document their travels on Facebook and Instagram are clocking up hundreds of miles in aid of two charities, Wales Air Ambulance and the Paul Sartori Foundation.
Jamie Andrews, known as “Abandoned Explore Wales” and Shaun Kendrick who goes by the handle “Urban Welsh Explorer”, have embarked on a unique five-day hitchhiking challenge across Wales and back again.
The dynamic duo set off from Haverfordwest on Monday, 13 July, taking in Cardigan, Caernarfon, Conwy, Welshpool and Brecon. They aim to be back in Haverfordwest on Saturday, 18 July.
Jamie, 41, has taken time out from his day job working at an Ascona Group petrol station to raise as much as he can for Wales Air Ambulance.
He said: “The company I work for is a massive supporter of the lifesaving service. All 70 of our outlets give customers the opportunity to donate 30p to the Charity when paying by card or digital wallet. At our Welsh sites, Ascona Group also match funds every donation.
“So, when Shaun and I decided to do our big hike, we wanted to make sure we did it for causes that meant a lot to us and are making a big difference.”
Headquartered in Pembrokeshire, Ascona Group is one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent forecourt operators and has been a proud supporter of Wales Air Ambulance since 2022.
As part of its £1million fundraising pledge, the business has already raised more than £400,000 towards its target. CEO Darren Briggs is also the Charity’s first official Ambassador, reflecting the company’s long-term commitment to supporting its lifesaving work.
Jamie, who has worked for Ascona Group for around four years, said: “I have a large family; we have six children and when I am not at the petrol station, we like to get outdoors.
“We climb mountains, adventure in the remotest spots and I often think if one of us had an accident or got very sick suddenly, we would need the air ambulance.
“The Charity relies totally on donations to keep going, so every pound we raise during our hike is going to make a difference.”
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 £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.
Since the start of their hiking challenge, Jamie has been motivated by the stories that have been shared with him by past patients and those who have benefited from the service.
He said: “Both of us have big signs on our backs, with a QR code saying who we are fundraising for and the responses have been amazing.
“We’ve had shopkeepers coming out to give us food and water, campsite owners allowing us to pitch for free. Police officers giving us a lift! Everyone has been so kind.
“Then you’ve got the supporters donating money, the reaction to what we are doing is fantastic.”
When the pair were planning the trip, they had not factored in that it would be during a heatwave, with temperatures hitting 31 degrees Celsius.
Both are carrying backpacks which weigh in at around 17 kilograms, just a kilo less than the average weight of a critical care practitioners, medical kit bag.
Jamie said: “We are fortunate in that this challenge, involves some walking, and obviously quite a bit of hitching, to enable us to cover the whole of Wales.
“Whenever our backs start aching, we are spurred on by the fact that we know every day in Wales there are crews saving lives, come rain or shine, day or night.
“The work they do is inspirational, so if our journey motivates others to do their own fundraising adventure for the Charity, I’ll be very happy!”
Shaun, 44 who is a lorry driver for First Milk, hopes their challenge will also shine a light on the work of the Paul Sartori Foundation which offers end of life care to cancer patients.
His mum benefited from the support it provides before she sadly passed away last November. The father of six said: “Our event has given me a real sense of purpose!
“We wanted to do something a little more extreme than the usual fundraising activities you see online, whilst taking in the incredible Welsh coastline and landscapes.
“I don’t think people realise that charities, rely solely on donations. So many of the things we take for granted are funded by ordinary people and run by volunteers.
“This is our way of saying thank you and giving back to all those who do what they do to help families like mine, in their hour of need.”
Jamie and Shaun’s Go Fund Me page has raised over £2,000 with the final total set to be shared equally between Wales Air Ambulance and the Paul Sartori Foundation. Fundraiser by Shaun Kendrick : Hitchhiking across Wales for two Charities.
You can follow their journey on the Polarsteps website Haverfordwest – Charity hitchhike by Abandoned Explore wales | Polarsteps
Phae Jones, Wales Air Ambulance’s Director of Income Generation said: “What a unique and outstanding challenge to undertake during a heatwave!
“We are very grateful to both Jamie and Shaun for shining a light on our Charity and the Paul Sartori Foundation.
“Our crews come to the aid of countless people across Wales every day, and they could not do their lifesaving work without the help of our incredible supporters.
“We wish them both the very best of luck as they navigate Wales by foot and car and look forward to welcoming them to our Dafen airbase very soon. Diolch yn fawr!”
