Wales Air Ambulance has announced that its '£ Appeal' is proving a hit with the public since its launch in early March, with a steep rise in the number of events taking place throughout Wales to raise funds for the charity.
With almost three-million people living in Wales, the charity is 'Appealing for a £' from each person to help meet the cost of upgrading to and operating three new generation helicopters throughout Wales, which need to be in place by 2009. Following the launch of the special appeal, Wales Air Ambulance has revealed that in April alone there have been over 120 events held throughout Wales to raise funds - an increase of just over 30 per cent on the number of events held in April 2007.
Rhodri Davies, regional fund-raising manager for Wales Air Ambulance, added: "We have seen a big increase in the amount of requests we receive to go and talk to people at public events and community groups, to explain the work we do and how they can help, and this has led to many more events being held throughout Wales, for which we are extremely grateful.
"The response to our £ Appeal has been very encouraging. If everyone in Wales donated £1, we would easily reach the target we need." The charity is urging people to carry on the good work and to keep supporting Wales Air Ambulance where possible, either via pledging donations over the 'phone by calling 08700 720999 or 08700 736999, or by going online at http://www.walesairambulance.com">www.walesairambulance.com and making a pledge on the website.
Alternatively, there is also the option for members of the public to call into their local Barclays branch and make a donation over the counter.
The new generation helicopter will increase performance and provide the latest airborne facilities, technology and medical care that will go a long way to further improving the air ambulance service's excellent record of getting patients to hospital quickly and saving lives.