A Pembrokeshire business owner has raised an incredible £2,000 for Wales Air Ambulance after it came to the aid of a friend’s daughter.

Christine ‘Chrissie’ Bonner from Little Haven gave a whole new meaning to the twelve days of Christmas, back in December last year.

She pulled on her bather and bobble cap completing twelve cold water dips during the festivities to help raise funds for the lifesaving service.

The 59-year-old, who runs a holiday cottage business in Little Haven, decided to take on the fundraising challenge as a way of saying thank you after witnessing first-hand the difference the charity can make.

She explained: "My dear friend Nicky's daughter was involved in a road traffic collision in a rural location several years ago.

“Her injuries were so severe, the Wales Air Ambulance came to her aid. Without this service, it could have been a very different outcome.

"There is no doubt the clinicians who attended her that day saved her life. Her family often organise fundraising events for the charity, and I wanted to do my bit too."

Chrissie wanted to raise as much as she could for the Charity and enlisted the help of her niece and nephew to spread the word.

"Thank goodness for Kath and Mick," she laughed. "They set up a GoFundMe page for me. They wanted to set the fundraising target at £1,000, but I said £500 would be enough.

“I would have been so grateful to reach that goal, people have been so generous. I am incredibly thankful to everyone who supported me."

Chrissie was supported throughout the challenge by family and friends, who kept her company during her daily dips in all kinds of weather.

"I had lots of encouragement and support," she said. "Zoe, Nicky and a few friends from my circuits group joined me, and my nephew Bob and great-niece Nadia.

“We swam in the rain, when the surf was up, and on lovely calm days too. It was a real mix of conditions, but we had great fun."

She also persuaded her partner, Pete, a retired helm and now Launching Authority for the Little & Broad Haven Lifeboat, to get involved.

"When Pete told the team at Puffin Produce what I was doing, they donated very generously," Chrissie said. "They even said they would double their donation if Pete did a dip too."

Their support helped boost the final fundraising total to an impressive £2,000.

Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager: “It is impressive that Chrissie took on twelve cold-water dips in the depths of Winter, to raise funds for our Charity. And that she managed to rope in family and friends too!

“We are grateful that she chose our Charity as a beneficiary after our crew came to the aid of her friend’s daughter, and relieved to hear that she has made a good recovery.

“£2,000 is an incredible amount, and we are very thankful to each person who donated. Every pound raised makes a lifesaving difference.”