The Caernarfon air ambulance team welcomed a special visitor recently when the outgoing High Sheriff of Gwynedd, Janet Phillips, paid a visit.

During her twelve months in office, she has met with those working in the blue light services and charity sector, as part of her role.

Janet said: “It’s been a very busy year and I’ve met so many amazing people in our own county learning about the different work they do.”

The Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service, taking hospital standard treatments to the patient on location, whenever and wherever they need assistance.

It is delivered via a unique Third sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.

The service travels the length and breadth of Wales and Janet, who is also part of the farming community, wanted to show her appreciation and respect for what they do by spending time with the team.

She said: “It has been wonderful to put faces to the people who undertake this work, very special indeed.

“We met the pilot, A and E consultant, one of the Critical Care Practitioners. We also met Alwyn Jones, who is one of the air ambulance fundraisers and two of the trustees. It was a real eye opener.

“It was humbling to hear about their experiences, about what they have to do, the incidents that they come across. When you hear the stories, it makes you feel for their own welfare too, they are looking after us, but you feel for theirs too.

“You know they are constantly under pressure going to things that most of us could not imagine, not knowing what they are going to face when they get there.”

Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Janet said: “I am aware of the fundraising required to enable the charity to achieve its annual target to keep the service running.

“It’s not a given that the charity will get money from the government or anything like that.

“Without the generosity of the public we would not have this crucial service provided by the air ambulance and its partners.”

She added: “It is also important to recognise and thank too those who actively fundraise all year-round – it really is hugely important to ensure the continuation of the service.”

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Wales Air Ambulance’s Head of Fundraising, Mark Stevens said: “We’d like to extend our appreciation to the former High Sheriff and thank her for her service during the past 12 months.

“I know our team were honoured to receive a visit during the final weeks of her office and we look forward to future visits as she continues in her role as Deputy Lieutenant of Gwynedd. The Wales Air Ambulance service – is consultant-led and we are constantly innovating to ensure that our teams have the best equipment onboard to help them do their jobs effectively.

“We need to raise £1.2 million each year so that our helicopters and rapid response vehicles can continue coming to the aid of those facing live or limb-saving situations.”