The Welsh arm of one of the UK’s leading local pub companies, is helping raise thousands of pounds for Wales Air Ambulance as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Marstons has 121 pubs in South Wales and hopes to raise enough funds to cover the cost of fifteen lifesaving missions. It has also rallied its pub partners to fundraise for the Charity.
Lee Pears, Regional Operations Manager said: “Wales Air Ambulance is such a fantastic Charity, saving thousands of lives each year.
“On a personal note, my wife is a nurse, so was my mother and sister, as well as auntie, so, I understand the massive difference those working in emergency medicine can make to patient outcomes.
“From a business perspective, the Charity has always been heavily supported by Alan Beddows, who is one of our area managers.
“The credit for this partnership really lays with him. Alan was already talking with the Charity about a fundraiser to mark its birthday, when he pitched the idea to the rest of our team.”
He continued: “Members of the Charity were invited to an area managers meeting at the Twelve Knights in Port Talbot. I think that was a real eye-opening moment when we learnt that the Charity relies on its supporters to raise the funds it needs to operate.
“All of us were onboard from that moment and then we took it to our teams, talking to pub managers and pub partners as well. All I can say is that everyone got very excited, very quickly.”
Marstons was established back in 1834 when John Marston first began brewing at the Horninglow Brewery in Burton upon Trent.
Lee said: “We run community pubs all throughout South Wales and you know we always find our communities very generous at supporting the charities that we want, we want to fundraise for.
“Every pub’s got a pop up banner which we paid for as a as a business and then their individual teams are coming up with their own ideas to fundraise.
“There have been quiz nights, a karaoke night, discos throughout Christmas and raffles. Recently we had an evening with Wales rugby legend Sam Warburton, in partnership with Guinness which also raised funds for the Charity.
“As we head towards the spring and summer, we will be able to move outdoors putting on great community activities that everyone can join in with.”
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.
Alan Beddows is the Area Operations Manager and has worked for the company for ten years.
He said: “Nobody wants to need the air ambulance! No one would ever want to travel inside the helicopter or road response vehicle if they didn’t have to. You must be facing a life or limb threatening situation to receive their care. But isn’t it reassuring to know that it is there, should you or your loved ones need it?
“That is why it is so important that we play our part in keeping the service going, it is something which makes me feel warm inside, knowing our team are making a difference.”
This is not the first time Alan has fundraised for Wales Air Ambulance. Four years ago, he ran a fundraising initiative across 18 pubs in his region raising £10,000.
Alan continued: “I live near the Charity’s Dafen headquarters, and our house is on the flight path of the helicopter.
“I’ve always been a big supporter, donating when I can and encouraging our team and guests to get involved with fundraising events.
“But this campaign, is really special, and I am delighted that my colleagues felt so too.”
He added: “We were just weeks into our partnership, when one of our pub guests told us how the service had saved a family member.
“It’s when you hear the stories, which are so moving, that you realise how special the Charity is. Why wouldn’t you want to get involved?”
Nina Rice, Head of Fundraising and High Value Partnerships at the Wales Air Ambulance Charity said: “The Marstons team in Wales are outstanding, we are delighted that their pubs and partners have chosen us as their Charity during this our 25th anniversary year.
“We would like to extend our thanks firstly to Alan for championing our Charity, but to every single member of staff who is going above and beyond for us, we are hugely grateful.
“We have achieved so many milestones, since the first flight took off from Fairwood Airport in Swansea back on the 1st of March 2001.
“We have carried out over 56,000 missions, and that is thanks to partnerships like this and the generosity of the people of Wales, that we can continue to do this vital work.
“Every pound donated really makes a lifesaving difference. Diolch yn fawr!”
