One of Britain’s largest transport providers is on a mission to help save lives after announcing a year-long Charity partnership with Wales Air Ambulance.
Edwards Coaches employs around five hundred people in Wales and the South West of England, with its main base in Llantrisant and depots in Swansea, Bristol and most recently, Plymouth. The family-run firm was established in 1925 and marked its centenary milestone last year.
Commercial Manager Simon Ingham said: “Over the decades, our business has evolved from a handful of local service buses, to being one of the largest and most successful bus and coach operators in the UK.
“We have a large portfolio of work that still include local bus operations but also incorporate home to school transport contracts, Private Hires and Team transport with high end, executive vehicles.
“We are also the largest Partner Operator to National Express, operating 88 coaches on the intercity scheduled network. We of course run our hugely popular and growing UK and European tour programme”.
Edwards Coaches has raised thousands of pounds for local charities over the years and has chosen Wales Air Ambulance as its fundraising partner for 2026.
Simon said: “Community is always at the heart of everything we do and as a family-run business, we like to support local causes.
“I connected with Abi Pearce who is the Corporate Partnerships Manager for Wales Air Ambulance back in February 2025. Abi told me that the Charity would be celebrating its 25th anniversary this March.
“Over the past few months, I’ve learned more about the great work that they do. Although we’ve not had direct assistance from the team, we can thank Wales Air Ambulance for the indirect support they have provided on the road network many times over.
“I presented the idea of a partnership to our board, and everyone was hugely supportive. Everyone has seen it at some point flying overhead.”
Simon continued: “Our Head of Operations, Richard Thomas, understands first-hand the true importance of the service.
“A close friend of Richard was involved in a road traffic collision and the air ambulance attended. He sadly passed away.
“I am sure many of our customers will also have been assisted or know people that have required its help and will want to support our fundraising campaign.”
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. Edwards Coaches aims to raise £10,000 for Wales Air Ambulance during its year-long Charity partnership.
Simon said: “We have got lots of fundraising activities pencilled in throughout the year. We haven’t gone public on what we are doing just yet, but we are planning some exciting events such as day trips and depot events to raise funds. You never know, you may also spot Wales Air Ambulance on the back of one of our buses.
“Damian Evans from our Transport team has secured a Charity spot at the London Marathon, he’s kindly donating funds raised to the Wales Air Ambulance. I’m sure there will be many more team members taking part events such as bike rides and bake offs, too.”
He added: “We are proud supporters of the Charity and hope by raising awareness and sharing our fundraising journey that it will encourage others to do the same during its milestone 25th anniversary!”
Abi Pearce, Wales Air Ambulance’s Corporate Partnerships Manager said: “We are hugely grateful to Edwards Coaches for choosing us as their Charity partner for 2026!
“This is a very special year for Wales Air Ambulance and there will be many events to mark our 25th anniversary, including our gala dinner.
“We are delighted that Edwards Coaches will be part of our celebrations, raising awareness and vital funds and I’m very much looking forward to working with their entire team to reach their incredible fundraising goal.
“We couldn’t do what we do, without our amazing supporters, they help keep our helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road. Every pound raised saves lives!”
