Published: 10 April 2024

A woman from Anglesey has joined forces with Bidding Room star Simon Bower for a second year in a row to auction off items in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance. 

Lucy Clarke, who used to work in the tourism sector and Simon, who has been with Morgan Evans Auctioneers for around thirty years, pulled out all the stops to support the lifesaving charity.  

The 27-year-old who is originally from London, wanted to create an event which would raise vital funds and awareness for the all-Wales Charity.  

She said: “The charity relies solely on donations from the public, to survive! Not many people know that.  
“I want to get educate people and get them involved. It’s a service that anybody might need to use one day, for a friend or family member.” 

Wales Air Ambulance is the only air ambulance charity, based in, and dedicated to the people to Wales and 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.

It is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery. 

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

Lucy says living where she does and working in the tourism sector, she realises how important the service is not only to the community, but visitors too.  

She said: “There are a lot of amazing locations to walk and climb and some people might not have climbed mountains before, and you know one day they might need the air ambulance. 

“And locals too, it is so reassuring to know that should anything happen to any of us – that this incredible team can travel to the scene anywhere.” 

Back in 2022, Lucy decided to get in touch with Simon Bower, who is her best-friend’s father, to see if the auction legend would be willing to get involved with a fundraiser for the Wales Air Ambulance at Plas Coch Holiday Park. 

She said: “It told him I would organise all the auction items, the venue and the behind-the-scenes stuff and asked if he would do the auction for me and he said ‘yes’ - it went from there really. That first event was fantastic, and we raised £6,000. Then last Winter I wanted to do the same again, and Simon agreed to support."  

Lucy also roped in the support of local businesses, she said: “To be honest everyone we asked just said ‘yes’, which was great. That took about two months to get everything lined up and ready.”

Local Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager Alwyn Jones opened proceedings on the night, highlighting the work of the Charity.

Lucy said: “He spoke so brilliantly about the work the charity does. His talk really highlighted the importance of fundraising events and how donations go towards the money needed to run.” 

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

With around 60 items going under the hammer, including a helicopter ride donated by a resident in Caernarfon and an afternoon tea for two in Beaumaris – Lucy and Simon’s fundraising event raised just over £4,000. 

Lucy said: “It’s a fantastic amount, especially considering the climate we’re in with the cost-of-living crisis, inflation and stuff like that.” 
The pair recently handed over a cheque to the team at the base in Caernarfon and said: “It was incredible to meet all the doctors and those on the airbase. It was a proud moment, a pinch me moment to realise where the money we had raised was going.” 

Alwyn Jones, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager, said: “We are so grateful to Lucy and Simon for raising so much money for our lifesaving service. Ten thousand pounds in two years is a phenomenal amount!  

“We appreciate the time it takes for people to organise such events and it’s wonderful to see how many local businesses donated items too. We need to raise £1.2 million pounds each year to keep our helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road and without the support of individuals like Lucy and Simon, it would not be possible.

“Thank you to everyone involved in the event.”