Wales Air Ambulance crew members have teamed up with rugby legend James Hook on a fundraising challenge in aid of the lifesaving service.
Critical Care Practitioners Marc Allen, Jez James, Steffan Simpson and Dewi Thomas deliver emergency critical, whenever and wherever they are needed.
But on Saturday, 6 June 2026, the group headed to Oxwich, to support James who won eighty-one caps for Wales, during his career, as he walked from Rhossili to Mumbles.
Over 180 walkers signed up to take part in this year’s Walk Wales event, which included two other stages including The Elan Valley and The Great Orme.
Lead Critical Care Practitioner Steff Simpson, was joined on the Gower walk by his 12-year-old son Elis.
He said: “Our crew are pan-Wales and cover different shifts, sometimes we are nights, sometimes days. So, it is difficult to get us all together at the same time.
“The Walk Wales event has been a fantastic way for us to all meet up outside of work and do something for the Charity.
“It was great to have our sons join us too, the boys enjoyed being part of the event, and getting their photo taken with James.
“We also rarely have the opportunity to meet fundraisers, so it was lovely to connect with so many people and help raise money for Wales Air Ambulance.”
This is the second time Dewi Thomas has taken part in the Walk Wales challenge. During the last six years it has raised £150,000.
Dewi said: “It was great to see so many of the walkers who did the route last year, back again for this event.
“People had come from Treorchy and further afield to take part. It is amazing how much they love the Charity and will do anything to help raise money.
“My son Osian also took part; it felt special to be able to share this with him and for him to get to do this alongside Ospreys players.”
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.
Jez James, who has supported the Charity as a volunteer for 21 years, before joining the Wales Air Ambulance crew in 2017, says ‘fundraising events help save lives.’
He continued: “All of us who crew the service, witness daily the incredible difference it makes to patient outcomes.
“That’s why it is so important, that as clinicians, we give something back, whether it’s through fundraising events, supporting base visits or raising awareness through community talks.”
Jez added: “My takeaway from Walk Wales, has been the opportunity for us to be able to be available to talk with people.
“We rarely have a chance to interact with the public when we are on jobs, because we are so focused on the patient and their needs at the time.
“So being able to relax together as a team, and for my son Joe to join us too – without any time pressures, amongst the amazing scenery, has been pretty special.”
Walk Wales was established during the pandemic, with James Hook coming onboard in 2024.
He has a close affinity with Wales Air Ambulance after it came to the aid of his son Harri during a family day out at Rhossili.
Marc Allen who has two young sons, Joe and George, had the opportunity to speak with James during the walk, describing him as a ‘national treasure.’
He said: “I spent around 15 minutes walking along the route with him. He is really interested in learning as much as he can about the service.
“He wanted to know about my role, where I worked and it felt surreal at times, he spoke about being in awe of the service, when so many look up to him as a rolemodel.”
Marc was also ‘inspired by the stories of some of the past patients’ who took part in the event.
He added: “There was a lady from Brecon who came off her quad bike in 2009 and got airlifted to Cardiff.
“She is in her sixties now and has supported the charity ever since her accident. It was lovely to see her active after such a nasty incident and how enthusiastic she is about raising funds.”
The dates for Walk Wales 2027, have just been released, with the South Wales – Gower Challenge 5 June, Mid Wales 10 June and North Wales 13 June.
Gail Windley, Wales Air Ambulance Events and Partnerships Manager, said: “We are so grateful to the crew for supporting James Hook and the South Wales leg of Walk Wales.
“Some of them had only finished their shift a few hours before and had been monitoring the weather for us, which was wet at times.
“Once everyone headed into Oxwich and saw those red uniforms, it brought a smile to their faces. The crew provided a gentle reminder of why everyone was hiking in the rain.
“You can now sign up for next year’s event; we would love to have you on board. Every pound raised will make a lifesaving difference!”
