A veterinary team have walked the Ceredigion coastal path to mark the 90th anniversary of the practice they work for, helping raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
Priory Vets, Clinical Director Sara Hull and Registered Veterinary Nurse, Leanne Davies organised the 2-day event in June with local and national charities, among the beneficiaries.
The pair who work within the small animal team asked staff to put forward a few organisations they would like to support, and they chose our lifesaving service, along with DPJ, Sea Trust Wales and DASH Ceredigion.
Sara said: “It’s such a big milestone for our practice and we wanted to do something which celebrated the fact the practice had been in business for all these years.”
“There have been so many developments and advances in veterinary medicine, and we are really proud to be part of an organisation that has been part of this community which served the great-grandparents of many of the farmers and pet owners we work with today.”
Staff work for Priory Vets across its three sites in Cardigan, one in Crymych and the other based in Aberaeron.
Sara, who is a mother of two said: “Our 90th has been the perfect excuse to bring everyone together. We knew we wanted to take on a big challenge and the Ceredigion coastal path certainly delivered.
“Once we had decided on the Charities, we wanted to fundraise for we set about planning the logistics and where we would stay overnight.
“To be honest, Leanne was our organisational guru, she did most of the organising and route planning. We really couldn’t have done it without her.
“She also sorted all the safety aspects, made sure there were first aid kits and that there was refreshment stop off points – her family were fantastic support too and fed us along the way.”
Wales Air Ambulance was ‘a popular choice’ amongst the team. She said: “It’s a cause very close to a lot of people’s hearts, especially given we live in such a rural community, and it brings the A and E department to the patient.”
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 £11.2 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.
Sara said: “Our family knows a few people who have benefited from Wales Air Ambulance and it does such and incredible job, you just never know when you might need them.
“I also know the service relies on fundraisers like this to keep it going, so we all have a responsibility really to do our bit to ensure it is there for the people of Wales.”
She has been a registered veterinarian for twenty years and can relate to the challenges that come with working with sick patients.
Sara said: “I love the variety that comes with the job, each day brings different outcomes, and you must deal with each situation as they arise.
“Whether working with humans or animals, there is a huge degree of responsibility. But I am so grateful that I get to do what I do, and I am still enjoying my job after two decades.”
She admits, it felt special to do a walk which would ‘benefit so many’. She said: “Six of us did the entire route from start to finish.
“We started in Ynys Las, and we walked to Newquay on the first day, which was just over fifty kilometres. Then we did Newquay to Cardigan on the second day.”
The team stayed overnight at a local caravan park, as they wanted to start at 6.30am each day.
Leanne, who has worked at Priory Vets for nearly 16 years and lives in Abercych said: “We wanted this to be a challenge for those who were up for that, but also accessible enough for those who wanted to join us at different points for a few miles.
“It meant that people of all abilities could take part and feel part of our weekend, which was amazing.”
Fortunately, the weather held out and she added: “It was a brilliant day, the sun was out, the scenery was stunning, you couldn’t help but enjoy it.
“Although a few of us did pick up a few blisters and injuries, but we were relatively intact.”
Priory Vets raised £4,200 for four charities, with each receiving £1,050. Leanne said: “We are so grateful to everyone who supported us in the build-up and on the day.
“I organised for the team to have t-shirts which were sponsored so I’d like to give a shout out to all our sponsors: DI Evans Waste disposal, Tom Samways Butchers, Cattle Strength, Studio Pren, West Spark, KA Electrical, Adventure Bushcraft Wales, Stiwdio Lowri, Addison Design and development, Dana Evans Childminder, Hand4U Property Maintenance.
“We had Charity logos on them too and keyring QR codes which was great as when we were walking people would stop us and ask what we were doing and then scan us and donate.”
Elaine Orr, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance said: “Happy 90th to all the team at Priory Vets! What a wonderful way to celebrate.
“We are so grateful to be among the beneficiaries of this epic walk which has helped raise thousands for so many worthy causes.
“Wales Air Ambulance relies on the generosity of our fundraisers, and we are hugely grateful to receive such a generous amount.
“Every pound raised really makes a difference and helps save lives.”
