Latest news with #WalesAirAmbulance
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Wales Air Ambulance saved her – Now she's to run 26 miles
A horse rider is taking on a 26-mile challenge to support Wales Air Ambulance, who helped save her life. Hannah Watson, a dental nurse from Manchester, is preparing to run the Dublin Marathon in October in support of the charity. She credits them with giving her a second chance at life following a serious horseback riding accident in 2017. Ms Watson said: "It's a reflection on how lucky I am to reach 30 and all the things I've managed to do post-accident and all the help I received. "It's been a long road to recovery, but I've made positive progress this past year especially." The experienced rider was injured during a British Eventing competition in Llanymynech, suffering three brain bleeds and four fractured vertebrae. Dr Graham Mayers, the Wales Air Ambulance consultant who treated her at the scene, said: "It was clear that Hannah had a serious injury which would get worse due to brain swelling if it wasn't controlled quickly with advanced medical care. "Hannah was given an anaesthetic which allowed us to put her on a breathing machine. "This is one of the most important interventions in preventing brain swelling." Ms Watson was transported to hospital once stabilised. When she regained consciousness, she was paralysed on her right side and experienced memory loss. She said: "I was initially bed-bound, which was hugely frustrating, as I am such an independent person. "I had to learn to walk, write, and improve my speech, all the things I had taken for granted before. "It's been a difficult journey, and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way." To mark her 30th birthday, she wanted to do something 'special' and decided to take on the marathon in Dublin. She said: "I am ticking off one of my bucket list wishes and competing in the Dublin Marathon in October. "I couldn't be happier to be running in aid of Wales Air Ambulance, the charity means so much to me and my family, I am alive because of the service." Ms Watson continues to visit her horse Beau daily, and fits her training around work and her care routine. She said: "I go to see Beau before work, and I go to him straight after too, so I only have time to run quite late in the evening. "Oftentimes, I don't sit down to eat tea until 9.30pm." Although she was advised not to ride again, Ms Watson said returning to the saddle helped her recovery. She said: "I was advised not to get back on him by the clinical team that looked after me, but to be honest riding Beau helped my recovery both mentally and physically. "My riding these days is a lot more casual and fun, a lot less intense and more about enjoying being out in the countryside." This is not her first fundraiser for the charity. She has previously raised more than £2,400 through a 10k run and the Manchester Half Marathon. Kate Thomas, regional fundraising manager for Powys, said: "Happy 30th birthday Hannah, from all the Wales Air Ambulance team. "We are so proud of Hannah's achievements over the past few years.
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- General
- Business News Wales
North Wales Housing Raises Funds for Wales Air Ambulance
NWH staff handing over a cheque for £6445 to Wales Air Ambulance, our Charity of the Year for 20242025. Pictured are Emma Williams, Min Bissette and Hayley Owen with Elaine Orr and the crew. North Wales Housing has raised £6,445 for the work of Wales Air Ambulance, which will cover at least two ambulance missions. Wales Air Ambulance was NWH's charity partner for 2024/25 and the money was raised through a year-long fundraising campaign, including Bouncing Bingo, a monthly 50/50 competition and the annual staff conference raffle. Emma Williams, Assistant Director of Finance and Chair of the NWH Charity Panel, said: 'I would like to thank everyone who has got involved and supported our fundraising activities this year. We not only reached our target of £3,000 we more than doubled it and have had fun (and delicious food) in the process. 'Our efforts will really make a difference to someone's life, and I am so proud of what our staff have been able to achieve. 'We were delighted to visit the crew this week in Caernarfon and hand over the cheque and thank them for all the incredible work they do on behalf of our community.'
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Builth Wells Golf Club captain supports Wales Air Ambulance
A grandmother of ten has chosen Wales Air Ambulance as her charity of the year in her role as Lady Captain at Builth Wells Golf Club. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Cathy Yates, 69, has played hockey and canoeed, but discovered her passion for golf 30 years ago. She now plays regularly and recently co-organised a fundraising golf day with Shane Claridge, the club's men's captain. Mrs Yates said: "Many of my friends and family have needed the help of the air ambulance over the years. "My husband was riding his motorcycle a long time ago when he was hit off his bike. "I also used to be a paraglider pilot and some of my friends had accidents in remote locations." Mrs Yates said her professional background and personal interests make this charity even more meaningful. She said: "I've got a real interest in helicopters; I've got a degree in aeronautical engineering and love aircrafts. "As you can imagine, the work of the Wales Air Ambulance really strikes a chord with me and it's something I am keen to support. "I've always done the monthly lottery but having this opportunity as lady captain will enable me to spend the next few months rallying even more support for the cause." Wales Air Ambulance relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million it needs each year to operate its fleet of helicopters and response vehicles. The service is designed to bring 'hospital-standard' treatments directly to patients, wherever they are in Wales. Mrs Yates is now looking forward to visiting the air ambulance base in Welshpool during her time as Lady Captain. She said: "It's going to be wonderful to get up close to the helicopter and look inside it. "I cannot wait to meet the team." Originally from Oxfordshire, Mrs Yates moved to Powys seven years ago and is now learning Welsh. She said: "We live in such a beautiful part of Wales; it is very rural and learning the language is really important to me." A former teacher and self-described adventurer, she and her husband Graham travelled across Europe for five years after retiring and spend summers in South Africa. Between them, they have six children and ten grandchildren. She said: "We love keeping active. "And between our family and hobbies there is never a dull moment." Mrs Yates is now looking forward to bringing people together through a full calendar of charity events. She said: "Our golf day was just the start. "It was a fabulous way to kick off our year of fundraisi ng. "We managed to raise £250." Planned events include quiz nights, bingo, and a special night golf evening in October. She said: "We've got a great support network at the club enabling us to do this for Wales Air Ambulance. "People travel miles to come and play at our club because of the amazing course and sweeping views across Builth. "It's quite breathtaking." Kate Thomas, regional fundraising manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said said: "We'd like to extend our congratulations to Cathy and Shane on their captaincies. "We are hugely grateful to them both for nominating us as their charity of the year. "Our fundraisers are at the heart of everything we do. "They enable our teams to be able to attend patients wherever and whenever they need us.
North Wales Live
17-07-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Person airlifted to hospital after suffering head injury in Eryri fall
A walker was flown to hospital yesterday (Wednesday) after suffering a head injury in a fall in Eryri (Snowdonia). The casualty was flown by air ambulance to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, which has a specialist trauma unit. The Welsh Ambulance Service, mountain rescuers and a Coastguard rescue helicopter were also at the scene of the incident, which happened shortly before 1.50pm, in the Dinorwig area. A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: "At 1.49pm yesterday, HM Coastguard assisted North Wales Police with a fallen walker who had sustained a head injury at Dinorwig in Wales. "HM Coastguard rescue helicopter R936 was sent, along with Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. The casualty was assessed by the helicopter's winch paramedic and passed into the care of the ambulance service." The flightradar24 website showed an air ambulance flew to the hospital in Stoke following the incident. A spokesperson for the Wales Air Ambulance said: "I can confirm the Wales Air Ambulance attended an incident in that region yesterday (16/07/25) to assist the Search and Rescue teams. "Our Caernarfon-based crew were allocated at 14:44 and arrived at the scene, via air, at 14:53. Our involvement concluded at 16:00."
North Wales Live
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Biker taken to hospital after collision with Range Rover on Anglesey
A biker was taken to hospital yesterday (Wednesday) after a collision with a Range Rover on Anglesey. The collision happened on the A4080 near Ty Croes, which was closed. Emergency services were called and a Wales Air Ambulance was also at the scene. A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "At 3.45pm yesterday (Wednesday, 16 July), officers attended reports of a two-vehicle collision on the A4080 near Ty Croes, Anglesey. The collision involved a motorcycle and a Range Rover. "Ambulance crews attended the location and subsequently conveyed the male motorcyclist to hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening." Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday Flight tracking data shows the air ambulance flew to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, which is home to a major trauma unit, following the crash.
