A Pembrokeshire great-grandmother has raised nearly £1,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance by asking guests at her 90th birthday party to donate instead of giving gifts. Doreen Harries, from Jeffreyston, celebrated her milestone with 70 guests at a tea party in East Williamston Hall, collecting £950 for the lifesaving charity.
Celebrating with family and friends
Doreen, who has lived at her family farmhouse for more than 70 years since marrying her late husband John, is a mother to four daughters, a grandmother of four, and a great-grandmother of one. Her youngest daughter, Jan Phelan, said Doreen specifically requested no presents. “Mum said she wanted a party, but she didn’t want any gifts. She said ‘I’m 90, and I’ve got all I want here with my family’,” Jan explained.
Jan added: “She loved her birthday and it was really nice. Even the week after the party she had people coming over and giving donations for the Charity. It was a really beautiful day.” The celebration continued beyond the event itself, with supporters dropping off contributions in the days that followed.
Supporting a vital service
The Wales Air Ambulance provides advanced medical care directly to patients during critical emergencies. Its NHS crews can administer blood transfusions and perform urgent procedures at the scene, bringing hospital-level treatment to remote areas across Wales. The charity depends on public donations to raise £13 million each year to keep helicopters and rapid response vehicles operational.
Jayne Tucker, a finance team member, visited Doreen to collect the donation and thank the family. She said: “A huge thank you to Doreen for asking for donations in lieu of gifts to celebrate her special birthday, it is such a kind gesture. We are so grateful that Doreen wanted to turn her 90th birthday milestone into such a meaningful way to help others across Wales.”
Gratitude from the charity
Jayne continued: “Thank you to everyone for giving donations instead of gifts to mark her birthday. Everyone who helped raise the incredible £950 will play a part in helping save more lives across Wales. The Wales Air Ambulance relies on public donations to raise £13 million every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Donations like this will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”
Reflecting on the meeting, Jayne added: “It was an absolute pleasure to recently meet Doreen, and it sounds like Doreen, her family and friends all enjoyed celebrating her 90th birthday. Thank you so much, Doreen.” The £950 raised will contribute directly to the charity’s ongoing mission to deliver emergency care across Wales.
