One of Wales Air Ambulance’s long-standing supporters, the South Wales Seniors Golf Classic, has helped raise an incredible £144,000 for the Charity over the past 23 years.
That is equivalent to the cost of 41 combined lifesaving missions by air and road.
“It’s an extraordinary amount of money,” said Clive Evans, Secretary of the South Wales Seniors Golf Classic.
“We could not believe it when we were told at the start of the season, it took our breath away. It makes you feel so proud; to know it is making a lifesaving difference.”
The event launched in 2003, with Wales Air Ambulance named as the chosen Charity for life, starting off with sixteen teams, it now has sixty-four taking part.
Reflecting on that first season, Clive, 72, said: “Two golfer’s lives were saved by the air ambulance, then the following year a few more golfers were saved again.
“The committee decided that for however long ‘the classic’ lasted, everything we did would go to the service.”
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 critical care.
Clive who has been a member of the South Wales Seniors Golf Classic committee for six years and secretary for the last four years said: “We know people who have benefited from Wales Air Ambulance, we have heard the stories of past patients, and it just makes you want to do more.
“We introduced this year a home-and-away format in the opening round, a system that has proven extremely popular and works brilliantly for both clubs and players.
“We teed off the season slightly earlier, beginning in February, which gave us a valuable head start and time for clubs to arrange both matches and kick start our fundraising efforts.
“The aggregate score from the two matches is then calculated, with the winning team progressing to the next stage. From there, the competition moves through the second and third rounds before reaching the quarterfinals and beyond. On top of that, there is the Claret Jug, and the Howel Craven Cup.”
Clive who admits he was a ‘late starter’ to golf said: “Throughout the season, we have been asking people to bring something along for the raffle. We charge up to £5 pound a strip, and that alone has raised around £1,500.
“On the 3rd of September, the Finals and Presentation Dinner took place at the Grove Porthcawl, with 80 people in attendance. We had a silent and open auction, hosted by our main sponsor FineWines with lots of lovely lots, which raised further funds.”
He added: “While trophies recognise achievements on the golf course, the most significant presentation of the evening reflects the true purpose behind everything we do as an organisation.
“It is fantastic that at the end of the night we presented a £11,000 cheque to the Wales Air Ambulance, which makes it all worthwhile.”
‘Family always comes first’ for the grandfather of one, with grandson Owain a priority. But when he is not on babysitting duties, Clive always heads to the golf course or starts planning the 2027 schedule.
He has “nothing but praise for the ‘fantastic team’ who make the South Wales Seniors Classic happen each year” and continued: “We really could not do it without the clubs, players, sponsors and of course or family and friends. A huge thank you must go to them for making it such a success.”
Christian Sullivan, Regional Fundraising Manager for South West Wales said: “The South Wales Seniors Golf Classic is such a fantastic event, and we are so grateful that we get to be part of it each year.
“This year marks a twenty-three-year fundraising partnership, which is extraordinary. The event has raised an incredible £144,000, since 2003, and continues to pledge support to our lifesaving service.
“Wales Air Ambulance relies on loyal supporters, like the South Wales Seniors Golf Classic, to help us make sure that we continue to be there for the people of Wales, whenever and wherever they need us.
“Every pound raised this season, will go on to make a lifesaving difference. Diolch yn fawr!”
