Prince William visits Wales Air Ambulance’s headquarters

The Prince and Princess of Wales met emergency workers, volunteers and people who support or work alongside the lifesaving charity at the Llanelli base to mark Air Ambulance Week as part of a visit to Carmarthenshire.

Prince William, who is a Wales Air Ambulance royal patron, mingled with guests, including Brian Tolley and Anne Evans, who have both raised thousands of pounds for the charity.

Brian Tolley, 80, from Builth Wells, said: “The Prince was very relaxed. He looked very comfortable and was brilliant with everybody he met here today.

“I thought the visit went very, very well and I really enjoyed my day.”

OTHER NEWS:

• Powys business to expand as gaming hub announces move to new venue
• Disqualified driver denies trying to drive van while three times the legal limit
• Powys cider farm named among the UK's best and it's a 'must visit' this autumn

A delighted Anne, from Cardigan, who has volunteered for the charity for 17 years and raised over £140,000 through numerous events and fundraisers, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to meet Prince William. He is a wonderful patron for our charity.

“It was so fantastic, everyone will be jealous. We spoke about how long I’ve been volunteering and he mentioned the fact that a lady jumped out of a plane for charity, who was 102.

“I said my defibrillator won’t let me do that. He was really down to earth and I could have talked to him for ages. He was really nice.”

Air Ambulance Week highlights how the Wales Air Ambulance, which has a Powys base in Welshpool, and the 20 other air ambulance charities across the UK offer a vital emergency service by taking the emergency department to the side of patients who are critically ill and injured.

It 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 Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.

As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.

His Royal Highness also met with the chief executive of Ascona Group, Darren Briggs. Ascona has supported the charity in its mission to deliver lifesaving medical care to people across Wales, whenever and wherever they need it, and the Wales Air Ambulance is currently Ascona’s charity partner.

Prince William meeting volunteers Anne Evans and Brian Tolley. (Image: Wales Air Ambulance)

A grateful Darren said: “It was absolutely fantastic to meet His Royal Highness, he was so down to earth and so engaging.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Prince William. I am very thankful to the Wales Air Ambulance for giving me this opportunity.”

Several of the Wales Air Ambulance medics and pilots also met Prince William. Critical care practitioner, Josh Easton, said: “He had a real understanding and was able to relate to us given his previous work and experience with H1145 and his work with East Anglian Air Ambulance.

“He has a unique perspective and understands what we provide as a service to the patients and the people of Wales. It was a pleasure to meet Prince William.”

The prince also took the opportunity to sit down with the emergency workers as well as chief executive Dr Sue Barnes, chair of trustees Kyle Jacques, and communications director Steven Stokes. (Image: Wales Air Ambulance)

The prince also took the opportunity to sit down with the emergency workers as well as chief executive Dr Sue Barnes, chair of trustees Kyle Jacques, and communications director Steven Stokes.

Dr Barnes said: “It was a great honour to welcome the Prince of Wales again – the second occasion in just over a year.

 “The prince always conveys an in-depth knowledge and understanding of our organisation. His genuine passion for our charity and the people within it is recognised by us all.

“He has a particularly deep connection with our crews having shared their experiences when working as an air ambulance pilot.”

This year’s visit followed last year’s engagement where Prince William and Princess Catherine officially opened the charity’s new patient and family room.