Sue Davies, a farmer's wife from Brecon, whose life was saved by the Wales Air Ambulance after a serious accident, has decided to leave a gift in her will to the charity as a final expression of gratitude. Her decision comes after a remarkable recovery from a broken neck sustained in a quad bike incident at her family farm in 2009.
A Life-Changing Accident and Recovery
In May 2009, Sue and her husband Gareth celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a party, asking guests to donate to the Wales Air Ambulance instead of bringing gifts. The event raised more than £3,000 for the charity. Just five months later, Sue was involved in a quad bike accident that threw her into the air and left her with a broken neck.
She spent two months in hospital and an additional month in a specialist spinal unit. After undergoing five operations and reconstructive surgery on her face, Sue made a full recovery. Since then, she has participated in the charity's Cycle 100km event every year since its launch, riding from Cardiff to the charity's headquarters in Dafen. She has also taken part in numerous other fundraisers, including Walk Wales, the Coffee and Cake event, and has held many raffles, raising thousands of pounds for the service.
A Final Thank You Through Legacy Giving
In addition to planning a gift in her will, Sue will also request that donations be made to the Wales Air Ambulance in lieu of flowers at her funeral. Reflecting on her decision, Sue said: “It will be my final way to say thank you for the life I’ve had – a life that would have been cut short without them. It will also be my last big thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance. Leaving money in my will and asking for donations at my funeral is the last thing I can do. I wouldn’t be here without the Wales Air Ambulance, and I will be forever grateful.”
She emphasized the importance of the service for people across Wales, particularly in rural areas: “The service is absolutely vital to the people of Wales. Perhaps because we live in a rural area, it hits home more with me. It’s so important because of our terrain and our population, and how people are all spread out. Look at the lives that would be lost without the Wales Air Ambulance. I don’t know how I would’ve survived without them. It was a no-brainer to leave a gift in my will. I can’t thank the Wales Air Ambulance enough they saved my life.”
How the Wales Air Ambulance Operates
The Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that brings hospital-standard treatments directly to patients and, if necessary, transfers them to the most appropriate hospital for their condition. It operates through a unique partnership between the third sector and the public sector. The charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required each year to keep helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) provides highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity's vehicles. This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions, and conduct minor operations at the scene of an incident. As a pan-Wales service, crews travel across the country to deliver emergency care regardless of their base location.
Jane Griffiths, philanthropy and partnerships fundraiser at the Wales Air Ambulance, commented: “Sue is a valued lifetime supporter and to be remembered in her Will is a true honour. Her kind gift will help ensure the lifesaving service continues for future generations.”
For those considering leaving a gift in their will or who have already chosen to support the Wales Air Ambulance in this way, Jane, the charity's legacy fundraiser, can be contacted at 0300 0152 999 or by emailing legacy@walesairambulance.com.
