A team representing departments from across Werndale Hospital — from administrative and clinical teams to theatre staff — stepped away from their day-to-day roles on Tuesday 12 May for a moment that brought them closer to the communities they serve across Wales, visiting the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters in Dafen, Llanelli, to personally thank those who help keep the lifesaving service running.
Taking part in a special ‘Thank-a-thon’, staff spent time writing handwritten letters to supporters of the charity across the country, recognising the individuals, families and organisations whose generosity keeps the service operational.
For a hospital serving patients from across Wales, the visit carried particular significance.
While Wales is home to vibrant cities and towns, it is also defined by its vast rural and coastal landscapes. It has a complex geography and Wales Air Ambulance plays a vital role in bringing advanced, hospital-level care directly to patients, wherever they are across the nation.
For many at Werndale Hospital, the importance of that service is felt both professionally and personally.
The visit also marks a significant milestone in an ongoing partnership. Since 2023, Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, has raised more than £20,000 for the charity — thanks to the collective efforts of staff, consultants, patients and supporters across Wales.
Fundraising has become a shared endeavour, from community-backed initiatives such as the hospital’s much-loved Christmas Advent Raffle to individual challenges like the Cardiff Half Marathon, where eight members of the Werndale team showed exceptional dedication. Support from partners, including Scarlets Rugby and local businesses, has further strengthened these efforts.
But the visit to Dafen was about more than fundraising totals.
It was a chance to pause and reflect on the people behind the donations – communities across Wales whose support enables rapid, specialist care to reach patients wherever they are, when they need it most.
Jessica Price, Sales and Marketing Manager at Werndale Hospital, said:
“As a hospital serving communities across Wales, we understand how important timely access to care is, particularly for those living in more rural or remote areas. Services like Wales Air Ambulance play a critical role in ensuring patients can receive urgent, specialist treatment without delay.
“Spending time at the Dafen base and taking part in the ‘Thank-a-thon’ was incredibly humbling. Behind every donation is a person choosing to make a difference, often for someone they may never meet. Writing those letters was a small but important way for us to recognise that generosity.
“We’re incredibly proud to have raised over £20,000 together. It reflects the strength, kindness and community spirit we see across Wales every day.”
The initiative forms part of Circle Health Group’s Giving Something Back (GSB@CHG) pledge, which supports charities and community organisations through fundraising, volunteering and local engagement.
Andre Bothma, Executive Director at Werndale Hospital, added:
“I am incredibly proud of our team and our local community for helping us reach this milestone. In rural regions like ours, the role of Wales Air Ambulance cannot be overstated — it brings critical care to patients when time and distance are against them.
“This visit was a powerful reminder of the impact that support has, not just in pounds raised, but in ensuring that people across Wales can access lifesaving treatment when they need it most.”
Mike May, the Charity’s South-West Wales Regional Fundraising Manager, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Werndale Hospital for their commitment, generosity and continued support. Their visit to our Dafen base and involvement in the ‘Thank-a-thon’ was a powerful reminder of the compassion that sits at the heart of our communities across Wales.
“From fundraising to personally thanking our supporters, the team’s efforts reflect the spirit of partnership that helps make our service possible every day. As we mark our Charity’s 25th Anniversary in 2026, it’s thanks to organisations like Werndale Hospital that we can continue to deliver lifesaving, advanced critical care to people wherever they are, when they need it most. They truly are lifesavers.”
As the Werndale team left Dafen, their handwritten messages remained — small, thoughtful gestures reflecting a shared understanding: that access to urgent care isn’t always straightforward, but through collective effort, it can reach those who need it most, wherever they are in Wales.
