A team from Owens Group swapped their haulage vehicles to cycle 90 miles in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance and raised nearly £4,000!
The team started their epic bike ride at Owens Warehouse in Magor and passed through several of the South Wales’s facilities, including Newport, Bridgend Parc Crescent and Margam Park. They also visited the iconic Cardiff Millenium Centre.
The fundraiser saw their cycle start at 9am and they reached the finish around 16:15 at their base in Unit 7 Coffee Garage, Llanelli.
Despite a couple of punctures along the way, which were easily fixed, the group regrouped and stuck together to complete the cycle ride. Their youngest rider, Freya Lloyd, 13, joined them at Margam.
A delighted Steve Jones, Owens Group Depot Manager – Bridgend and Newport, who organised and took part in the cycle, said: “On the day of the event, the excitement and eagerness to get going was building as soon as we all started to arrive at the start line in the Owens Magor depot. The riders all set off in earnest, heading towards Newport.
“When we reached the finish line, we had a great reception and were cheered on as we entered Unit 7, with lots of people greeting us including three wonderful people from the Wales Air Ambulance, family, friends and several members of the Owens family. The day was an incredible success, and we are already talking about what we will do next year.
“As things stand, we have almost doubled our target of raising £2,000 and we would like to thank everyone that has donated. You have all made it worthwhile and a huge success.”
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 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.
Owens Group would like to say a ‘huge thanks to all the riders and organisers’ that made the fundraiser happen, and the teamwork involved to do so. These included Steve Jones, Gwilym Hughes, Dan Lewis, Sean Lloyd, Mike Lanfear, Phil Eveleigh, James Bradbourn, Ben Simmons, Julian Bennett, Bethany Bennett, Neil Jones, Neil Gordon, Wayne Williams, Freya Lloyd, Chloe Lewis, Arwel Thomas, Steve Jenkins, Gareth Thomas, Sian Lloyd and Emyr Owen to name a few.
Reflecting on why Owens Group wanted to raise funds for the lifesaving Charity, Steve Jones said: “We chose to support the Wales Air Ambulance because it’s a vital service that any one of us could need at any time. In critical situations, speed is everything, and the Wales Air Ambulance provides lifesaving emergency care across Wales, giving people the best possible chance when they need it most.”
Christian Sullivan, South Wales Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance said: “Thank you to Owens Group for its continued support of our all Wales Charity. Every one of you should be extremely proud to have cycled the 90 miles, whilst raising an incredible amount for our lifesaving Charity. You smashed your £2,000 fundraising target which is amazing. It is wonderful to hear that Freya took on the challenge at just aged 13.
“Every year the Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road. Every penny raised makes a lifesaving difference. Fundraisers, like this one, will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. You’ve all played a part in saving lives across the country. Thank you so much.”
The Carmarthenshire logistics, warehousing and distribution company is no stranger to supporting the all-Wales Charity. In 2022, to mark half a decade in the business Owens Group held a family fun day for its staff at their headquarters.
As part of the family fun day, a raffle was held in aid of Wales Air Ambulance which raised £2,800. Owens Group then match-funded the amount bringing the total to an incredible £5,600.
There’s still time to donate to Owens Group fundraiser via their JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/page/owens-group-3
