An army veteran who served in the Falklands, Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War has nominated the Wales Air Ambulance as his chosen Charity during his year in office as the Worshipful Master of the Royal Leek Lodge.
Damien Thompson said: “I asked the brethren who they would like to see nominated and they agreed the Wales Air Ambulance was a worthy recipient.
“It does such an incredible job for the people of Wales.”
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 £11.2 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.
Damien who joined the army when he was sixteen and a half and has travelled all over the world says, “it’s important to give back to important causes that save lives.”
Part of his role during his year in office has been to create fundraising opportunities and to “raise as much money as possible” for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.
He continued: “We were so fortunate to have the support of butchers John Hughes-Jones, and his son Ieuan who do hog roasts. They offered to donate a whole pig, which is a considerable amount of money.
“That enabled us to raise a lot more for the Charity. They were so kind; they have plenty of land – so they let us use that too for our event.”
He added: “They have a personal connection to the air ambulance. John’s wife Alwena fell downstairs at the family home, and she needed the help of the service.
“Thankfully, she made a full recovery. But this is very personal to them, they know first-hand how important the charity is.”
Damien also organised a quiz night at the Bangor Masonic Hall. He said: “It was great fun! Some of the brethren gave up their time to be quiz master.
“My wife Kate also organised the Ladies Night, and between our three events, we raised quite a bit of money.”
Damien said: “I think everyone should go along to see the air ambulance operation to understand what they do.
“It felt special for us all to meet the clinicians and pilot and know that the cheque we were handing over was going to make a big difference.”
He added: “They showed us all the equipment, where everything goes. I even got to sit in the helicopter, and it is so small, but fits so much in it.
“Just as they were finishing talking with us, they got a call. So, we stood by the hangar door while they took off. It was a beautiful sight to see.”
The Royal Leek Lodge raised an incredible £750, which the North Wales Masonic Benevolent Association has match funded, taking the final amount to £1,500.
Elaine Orr, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraiser said: “It was so kind of Worshipful Master Damien Thompson and his fellow members to nominate us as their chosen Charity.
“We are hugely grateful for the support we have received and the number of events which have been organised in aid of our lifesaving service, as well as the generous match-funding from the North Wales Masonic Benevolent Association.
“It was wonderful to welcome everyone to our base at Caernarfon Airport to meet our team and find out about the work we do, during the cheque handover.
“Our air ambulances travel the length and breadth of the country each day to help patients – without fundraisers like this we could not continue to do what we do.”
