A grateful schoolboy who needed the help of the Wales Air Ambulance not once but twice has fundraised for the charity.
Ten-year-old Aron Lloyd, from Dolgellau, has raised an incredible £1,100 for the lifesaving Charity by walking, cycling and running over 100-miles – the distance from his home to Ysbyty Gwynedd twice.
The Ysgol Bro Idris pupil first needed the help of the Wales Air Ambulance when he was just 2-years-old, after he suffered from a febrile seizure.
His mum Rhian said, ‘all was good’ and he grew out of the seizures.
In January this year the all-Wales Charity was called out to Aron again, after he suffered an accident whilst sledging with his brother and friends. An ambulance was called to Aron and they were assisted by the Wales Air Ambulance medics, who arrived in one of the Charity’s rapid response vehicles. Aron broke him femur, when he hit a rock.
He was taken to hospital via road and needed an operation to have a plate and pins fitted the next day.
Despite being unable to play sports since his accident, Aron set himself the challenge of raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance. He aimed to run, walk or cycle the 102 miles but by the time he finished his challenge he clocked up an amazing 106-miles.
Aron completed the huge challenge by walking Cader Idris.
Rhian said: “Our family are very proud of Aron for doing the challenge and his friends were very supportive. Aron raised £1,100 in total and was really happy to have raised that amount.”
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 £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.
The service is on standby 24/7 to attend those suffering a life or limb-threatening injury or illness.
As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated crews will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver lifesaving care – as Tony’s story demonstrates.
Following on from his 106-mile challenge a delighted Aron, his parents and brother visited the Caernarfon airbase where he met Elaine Orr, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for the area and the crew that treated him.
Aron is still undergoing hospital treatment to help with his recovery. He is currently waiting a further operation to remove the plate from his leg and is looking forward to being able to return to playing football.
The Charity’s Elaine Orr said: “It was wonderful to meet Aron and his family at the airbase and hear his story. Aron and his family know firsthand how important our helicopters and rapid response vehicles are to the people of Wales. It’s remarkable that Aron has needed our service not once but twice and lovely that he wanted to fundraise for us.
“Aron has raised an incredible amount of money for the Wales Air Ambulance, and he should be immensely proud of himself. The Charity needs to raise £13 million pounds every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road. Fundraisers like Aron’s will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.
“We’re delighted that kind-hearted Aron wanted to fundraise for the Charity, despite his leg injury. It’s incredible he reached 106 miles! We wish Aron all the best with his on-going treatment and hope he will return to playing the sport he loves soon.”
