Wales’ lifesaving air ambulance service has reached its 50,000th mission, 23 years after the Charity was formed.

The 24/7 service has touched thousands of lives since it was launched in 2001. The milestone highlights the support that the all-Wales Charity has received over the years from the people of Wales and the Charity is “incredibly grateful” to the public.

Wales Air Ambulance has grown from a one-helicopter operation based at Swansea Airport to what is now the largest air ambulance operation in the UK, with four helicopters and a fleet of rapid response vehicles.

The air and road operations are funded entirely by public donations and the Charity needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep the helicopters flying and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive, said: “We mark this milestone with huge gratitude – we are truly humbled. This would not have been possible without the continued support and dedication of our supporters, volunteers, employees, medics, pilots and engineers – past and present.

“Behind each mission, there are human stories. On 50,000 occasions, the medics on board our vehicles have been tasked to help someone in need. When past patients and their families visit us, they often bring their family and friends – sometimes their young children. At that point, you realise that the impact of our charity is far greater than just the patient themselves. We have also impacted the lives of their family and friends who, without our service, may never have been reunited with their loved ones.

“We are also immensely grateful to those individuals and organisations we work alongside in the chain of emergency care. This includes the Welsh Ambulance Service and Welsh health boards, as well as fellow emergency services across the country.”

To mark the mission milestone, Wales Air Ambulance is asking its supporters to support their 50,000 missions appeal, enabling the Charity to be there for even more people in their time of need.

£50 can help fund crucial training enabling the pilots to launch within five minutes of a call during the day. £30 can contribute to lifesaving medical kit and £10 can help to fund essential fuel for both the aircraft and rapid response vehicles.

Dr Sue Barnes continued: “Our vital service in Wales needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. This would not be possible without the dedicated people of Wales. Our frontline crews work tirelessly around the clock to help save lives and be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. We are all proud to be part of an incredible service.

“We are appealing to our supporters to continue to help us, by donating to our 50,000 missions appeal. Every penny matters and will ensure that we can attend the critically ill or injured patients of the future.”

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby international James Hook recently raised over £5,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance lifesaving charity that is close to his heart, after he set off on Hooky’s Hike earlier this month - taking on 100 miles in five days from Tenby to Mumbles.

James, from Port Talbot, has a personal connection to the Wales Air Ambulance after they saved the life of his eldest son, Harrison, and became an ambassador for the lifesaving service back in 2021.

After seeing the Charity’s appeal for supporters to join their annual fundraiser, Walk Wales, which coincides with the Charity marking 50,000 missions, the Welsh Great decided to take on his own version of the event – Hooky’s Hike.

Hooky’s Hike saw James tackle 100 miles over five days to ‘raise awareness and funds’ for the Charity. James started his challenge in Tenby and hiked along the coast to his final destination in the Mumbles, Swansea.

Throughout the walk James was joined by supporters, as well as Wales Air Ambulance staff and medics.

James said: “The Wales Air Ambulance Charity is incredibly close to mine and my family’s heart. On the day that I proposed to my wife, Kim, they flew to the aid of my son who was just a baby at the time. They’re about to embark on 50,000 missions, and my son is one of them.

“I have been an ambassador for a few years now, and this was my opportunity to give something back through raising awareness and funds.”

The Charity hopes that James’ epic challenge has encouraged supporters to take part in their own Walk Wales event or to support the Charity.

Walk Wales is an annual fundraiser which allows participants to walk, jog or run, different distances each year, whilst raising funds. This year, to mark the milestone of 50,000 missions, the Charity is asking supporters to walk, run or jog 50 miles throughout the month of June.

James, who made six appearances for the British and Irish Lions on the 2009 tour of South Africa and won 81 caps for Wales, was delighted that the public supported him throughout the challenge. He smashed his fundraising target of £5,000 and has so far raised an incredible £5,770.

James has sought sponsorship and has kindly received support from The LCV Group and Owens Group.

James continued: “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, and to my main sponsors, LCV Group and Owens Group for enabling the event to happen.”

The Wales Air Ambulance operates 24/7 throughout Wales and needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep the helicopters flying and its rapid response vehicles on the road. 

Mark Stevens, Head of Fundraising at the Wales Air Ambulance said: “A huge congratulations to James on completing Hooky’s Hike – what an amazing achievement. In just five days not only did he hike 100 miles, in the rain and sun, he also raised over £5,000 for our lifesaving cause. Hooky’s Hike helped us to raise awareness and vital funds for our charity. James has first-hand experience of the essential work that our charity does, 24/7, for the people of Wales.

“Fundraisers like James’, ensure that we continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most, just like we were there when Harrison needed the Wales Air Ambulance. Thank you to everyone who supported James, we really appreciate it.”