Pupils from a North Wales school joined forces to take part in the Wales Air Ambulance’s first Coffee and Cake event to raise vital funds for its cause.
Every year the charity group at Ysgol Bro Llifon hold activities for local and national charities. After hearing about the all-Wales charity’s fundraiser, the pupils were eager to take part and raised an incredible £559.
Wales Air Ambulance asked its supporters to get together and raise some ‘dough’ during the month of March to celebrate 23 years of the lifesaving service. The Coffee and Cake fundraising campaign enabled participants to choose a time and place that suited them. It gave supporters a chance to have a gathering with friends and family and was open to people both online and in person.
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 throughout Wales.
The school also held a competition to create bunting that would represent the work of the lifesaving charity. The bunting was put on display in the hall during the run-up to the event and was on pride of place during the Coffee and Cake fundraiser.
Ysgol Bro Llifon headteacher Swyn Maelor said: “Every class set about cooking a variety of cakes for the afternoon. A letter was sent to all parents and on the school social media asking for their support.
“All the school children had the opportunity in the afternoon to have a drink and cake. We weren’t sure how many parents would attend but before long the parents were crowding around the school. We were amazed at how much support was received.”
Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, Alwyn Jones, was invited to the school to receive the cheque on behalf of the Charity.
Alwyn said: “It was wonderful to hear that the school wanted to support our cause. The children took part in designing bunting with highlighted the work our charity does throughout Wales. They made beautiful cakes and had a wonderful afternoon with their family and friends.
“Thank you to all the pupils, staff, parents and everyone who contributed to the Coffee and Cake event, it sounded like you all enjoyed a fantastic afternoon. The charity replies on donations, like this one, to keep our four helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Diolch yn fawr, pawb.”
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. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery.
It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. 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.
