Your walk, your way – every step makes a lifesaving difference

The Wales Air Ambulance is asking the people of Wales to take part in its annual Walk Wales fundraiser.

Are you up for the challenge of walking 50 miles in June for the lifesaving charity? It’s your walk, your way and every step makes a lifesaving difference!

The annual Walk Wales fundraiser allows participants to walk, jog or run, different distances each year, whilst raising funds. So, if you’re feeling a bit unmotivated or are in need of a challenge, then this is the event for you.

Walk Wales 2024 is open to people of all ages and the beauty of the virtual challenge allows ‘walkers’ the chance to either get out and about and explore Wales or to get their steps in at home, doing gardening, taking the dog for a walk, or even walking up and down the stairs!

The Wales Air Ambulance operates 24/7 throughout Wales, the Charity needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep the helicopters flying and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

During the last four years the successful Walk Wales event has raised an incredible £110,000 for the cause.

The challenge will take place during the month of June and entry is free, however, participants are encouraged to fundraiser for the all-Wales Charity. Walkers who raise £50 will receive a newly design Wales Air Ambulance sports t-shirt.

Since 2020 fundraisers of all ages have come out in force to show their support to the lifesaving charity including schoolgirl, Kara Richards, aged nine, who took part in Walk Wales during 2022 and 2023. Kara raised over £1,000 for the Charity.

The beauty of the virtual challenge means the event doesn’t have to take place in Wales – Abertillery couple Lawrence and Julie Morris took part all the way from Cyprus!

Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Mark Stevens, Head of Fundraising at the Wales Air Ambulance said: “Walk Wales is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages, to get together with friends, family, school friends and work colleagues to play an important role in helping to support our lifesaving service in Wales, whilst keeping fit and achieving a personal challenge.

“We first launched Walk Wales in 2020 and every year our supporters put on their walking shoes and raise vital funds for our cause. We’re delighted this fundraiser has raised over £110,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance. Challenges, like Walk Wales, play a vital role in raising much-needed funds to maintain our lifesaving service across Wales.”

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.

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.