Cneifio Cylch has raised almost £200,000 for Wales Air Ambulance over the past 14 years.
Its committee organises an event each Summer which includes a sheep shearing competition, family fun day, raffle, and auction at the Bull Inn in Llanerchydd, Anglesey.
Members recently visited Caernarfon Airport to meet with clinicians and Elaine Orr, Charity’s regional fundraising manager for North West Wales.
Its spokesperson Richard Edwards said: “We have been fundraising for Wales Air Ambulance since 2012 and hand a cheque over after every event.
“This year is no different, we raised £60,000 which has been shared between three charities.
“We were so surprised but proud when we were told by the Charity that we have raised almost £200,000 to date.”
Richard continued: “The air ambulance means so much to those of us living in rural communities.
“Most of us are involved in farming in some way or another. There are so many activities happening day in, day out, many involving moving stock, feeding animals, using machinery and equipment.
“The chances of something happening are quite high, so those of us living in remote areas are grateful to know the service is there if someone is seriously injured or suddenly becomes critically unwell.”
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.
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.
The Cneifio Cylch committee members visited the Caernarfon base in October and ‘everyone was blown away by the whole experience’, according to Richard.
He continued: “We often see the air ambulance flying overhead, and you always hope whoever they are attending, that they are not in too much trouble.
“But coming here today, watching videos of some of the patients that have been helped, and learning about the work of the service has been a phenomenal experience.
“It puts it all into perspective, and makes you realise how lucky we are in Wales to have such an outstanding service”?
He added: “The emergency room goes to the patient and the kit they have is astonishing. The helicopter is like a mini hospital.
“Unless you have needed the service or are a supporter, like us, I imagine most people do not realise the level of critical care which is provided.
“The teams travel all over Wales, and can administer pain relief, blood transfusions, induce patients into a coma, carry out surgical procedures.
“The base visit and talk have opened our eyes to its full capabilities and made us want to keep raising as much as we can for the Charity.”
Cneifio Cylch, started off as a small event in 1992. Richard said: “We had a few sheep shearers who would come over from New Zealand, and it was seen as a sort of leaving do for them, when they headed back home.
“But over the years it has grown and grown. We used to hold it in the local pub and have a raffle. Then we moved it into the pub car park with a marquee and that was a game changer for us. It just exploded from there.”
He added: “None of this would be possible without the help of our community. Everyone has been fantastic, donating raffle prizes, and auction items, we have 135 lots! And they volunteer too.
“The sheep shearing community is quite unique, no matter where you go in the world, if you are a shearer, you will never be alone. There’s good banter and everyone has a fun time.”
Richard has been the commentator for the event since the beginning and says, ‘the first year they raised around £13,000’ which was split between the chosen charities. In August they raised £60,300 in total.
Alun added: “That has been split between four very worthy causes, Wales Air Ambulance; Tÿ Gobaith-a hospice that supports seriously ill children and their families in North Wales; Canolfan Dydd Hafan-a day unit for dementia patients in Anglesey and Uned Heulwen-an oncology day unit for cancer patients in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
The Cneifio Cylch team are already planning their 2026 event. Richard said: “It’s all volunteered based, so we would welcome more hands-on deck to support the event.”
If you are interested in supporting the sheep shearing event next August, please contact them via their Facebook page.
Elaine Orr, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager for Northwest Wales said:
“We are so grateful for the loyal support of Cneifio Cylch and the sheep shearing community who have fundraised for us for over fourteen years.
“This wonderful group of people, have visited our air base, met our clinicians, and have made time to learn about the important work we do.
“We cannot thank them enough. They have raised a phenomenal amount which will have covered the cost of fifty-six lifesaving helicopter missions over the years.
“Our generous fundraisers and supporters ensure that we are able to be there for patients, wherever and whenever they need us in Wales.”
