OVER Christmas and the New Year, two Pembrokeshire ladies worked hard to raise funds to support the work of the Wales Air Ambulance charity.
Despite icy weather, economic gloom and many people suffering the effects of colds and flu, they both managed to raise incredible sums of money.
In the icy Christmas weather, Angela Evans, of Milford Haven, toured the town dressed as Mother Christmas on her motor scooter. She received donations totalling £654.56 in support of the air ambulance, adding to the thousands of pounds that she has already raised in recent years for local causes and charities.
Meanwhile, in Pembroke Dock, Eileen Thomas was organising one of her famous New Year's Eve dances at Pater Hall. Eileen, whose son Phil is a paramedic with the air ambulance, has raised funds in support of the charity and many others for over seven years. The proceeds from the New Year dance, combined with those from a dance that Eileen organised in October, totalled a fantastic £882.
Dependent on private donations, Wales Air Ambulance is a registered charity that provides emergency air ambulance cover throughout Wales.
Formed in 2001, the charity's three helicopters are able to reach any part of Wales within 15 minutes and the red helicopter is often seen in the skies over Pembrokeshire.
In 2009, the charity faces the big challenge of beginning to upgrade its fleet of helicopters to provide an even better level of care.
Mike Ashbridge, of Wales Air Ambulance, commented: "The very hard work of these two very special ladies, combined with the generosity of people in Pembrokeshire, has produced an amazing sum of money.
"From everyone involved with Wales Air Ambulance, there is a huge thank you to Angela and Eileen for all they have done. It's all down to private fund-raising like this that we can keep flying!"