Jewellery-making volunteer raises funds for lifesaving service!

A Wales Air Ambulance volunteer is making a lifesaving difference, creating handmade jewellery in aid of the service.

Danni Spicer, 32, says she feels ‘great pride’ each time someone buys an item she has made. She has raised over two-hundred pounds, so far.

The 32-year-old who has learning difficulties, started volunteering for the Charity in 2013 and ‘loves’ working with her team.

Her jewellery is now available at the Wales Air Ambulance Charity shop in Swansea city centre.

Danni who lives with her parents and dog, Kiera in Gowerton said: “I started making bracelets, a few years ago out of loom bands. Now I make them out of beads and do earrings too.”

Her mum Amanda Dunell, who is Supporter Engagement and Individual Giving Manager at Wales Air Ambulance, is ‘delighted’ with how popular Danni’s range has become. ‘Especially, with children who like the name tags’.

“It all looks so professional”, she said smiling proudly. “Danni enjoys making things and is always creating something.

“Her jewellery display is near the till and looks lovely. People have been very complimentary about the presentation.

“There are little cards on each piece saying handmade by Danni, which is a lovely touch.”

She says Danni, has ‘grown in confidence’ since starting to volunteer 13 years ago, and added: “Everyone needs a purpose, to have something that they are passionate about and this is her way of making a difference.

“When she sees the helicopter, she knows that her jewellery making, and volunteering is supporting in a positive way, its lifesaving work. It means a lot to her.”

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 critical care.

As a volunteer, Danni has a variety of roles from maintaining displays, assisting with customer service and keeping the stock room tidy.

“I’m always painting or making something for the shop to add to the window displays”, she said.

“I enjoy helping make the shop look beautiful, and Andrea, always encourages me.”

Danni’s artistic skills have been put to good use this year, from creating Easter bonnets, to making decorations.

She said: “Andrea is always coming up with ideas, and she gives me projects to take home and work on.

“I like making birthday and Christmas cards, and I hope to start selling them too.”

Andra Walters, Retail Shop Manager, said: “Danni is among our longest serving volunteers and hugely passionate about the work of Wales Air Ambulance.

“Very creative, she enjoys making things look beautiful, whether that’s window dressing or creating artwork to hang in the shop.

“The past few months her jewellery collection has taken off and helped raise over two hundred pounds for our lifesaving service.

“We are very proud of Danni and delighted that everyone now has the opportunity to buy one of her handmade pieces, at our shop in Swansea, city centre. Diolch yn fawr!”