Latest news with #Newport10K
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Transport for Wales worker raises £400 for Air Ambulance
Lucy Martin, 29, signed up for the Newport 10K after the public transport service provider nominated the lifesaving service as its charity partner for 2023/24. This was in memory of her father, Alan Martin, who died in August 2020. Ms Martin said: "I am not a natural runner, but I wanted to challenge myself whilst raising funds for a great cause. "The Wales Air Ambulance means a lot to my family because it came to the aid of my dad." Mr Martin, a lorry driver at Tesco's Distribution Centre in Magor, collapsed at work. Despite the efforts of the Wales Air Ambulance, he passed away. "He was the most amazing father, very caring and funny," Ms Martin added. "He supported us all, through the highs and lows. "My mum was poorly for a few years, and was starting to get better, when we lost him." 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 third-sector and public-sector partnership, and relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to maintain the helicopters and rapid response vehicles. Ms Martin said: "We weren't aware of the aftercare team until we lost Dad. "Mum received a phone call a week or two later from a patient liaison nurse. "They talked her through what had happened, explained it all from start to finish and all the interventions that had been provided by the clinicians at the scene. 'That conversation was so important, as it helped so many people have a bit of closure.' Ms Martin helped raise almost £400 after completing the Newport 10K on Sunday, April 14, 2025. She said: 'After going through what we did, I set up a monthly direct debit for Wales Air Ambulance, but I wanted to do more. 'The atmosphere was amazing, and I had such a sense of achievement when I completed it.'
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Newport woman who fears heights completes skydive for dad
Jemma Martin, 25, took the plunge on what would have been dad's birthday to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance - the service which was called to help her father, Alan, in August 2020. Sadly, despite the crew's efforts, Alan passed away. Ms Martin's skydive raised £1,270 for the charity, and she said she would "100 per cent do it again." (Image: Jemma Martin) Ms Martin said: "My dad did not get to do half the stuff he wanted to, because of his diabetes and health problems. "That's what motivated me to jump out of a plane for a charity which means so much to my family." Reflecting on the experience, Jemma said: "It was the most terrifying thing I have ever done. "I was genuinely terrified. "I was shaking like a leaf but my instructor, Matt, was so amazing and reassured me throughout the whole experience. "I am so proud of myself, and to make it more special, it was on my dad's 57th birthday." (Image: Jemma Martin) Alan Martin, a lorry driver for Tesco, collapsed at the Magor distribution centre in August 2020. Despite CPR attempts by colleagues and the rapid response from Wales Air Ambulance, Alan could not be revived. He suffered a blood clot in the main artery to his heart. Ms Martin added: "I have so much respect for the clinicians who were there for my dad, they did all they could to help him." Gail Windley, regional fundraising manager for the Wales Air Ambulance, said: "Congratulations to Jemma who faced her fear of heights to raise an incredible amount of money for our charity. "Not only did Jemma face her fear, but she said she'd do a skydive again. "It was a lovely way to honour her dad, especially on his birthday. "We are hugely grateful to Jemma, her mum Jackie and sister Lucy who recently ran Newport 10K for our charity. "Fundraisers, like Jemma's, will help us continue to provide this 24/7 service for the people of Wales."
