Published: 04 September 2024

A South Wales HGV driver is taking on a fitness challenge in aid of Wales Air Ambulance after the service came to her brother’s aid on two separate occasions.

Vykki Murphy, who lives in Bridgend town centre is gearing up to do a 5km run this autumn as a way of saying thank you to the all-Wales Charity for saving her brother’s life – twice.

Vykki said: “In October 2023, Jason was involved in a motorcycle accident. He came off his bike trying to avoid another vehicle whilst riding on top of Maerdy Mountain in the Rhondda. 

“He was very, very ill and broke his back, suffered several fractures and internal injuries. The Wales Air Ambulance came to his aid and took him to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

“He spent a month there and a few more months recovering.”

Less than six months later, Jason required the help of the air ambulance once more. 

The 39-year-old continued: “Earlier this year, Jason was involved in another motorcycle accident on the Brecon Beacons, once again the air ambulance was called out to help him.” 

37-year-old Jason Ward, a factory worker from Tonypandy, spent three weeks in hospital and is still recovering from his injuries, but the family are grateful that he is on the mend. 

Wales Air Ambulance 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.  

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. 

Vykki, who suffered an accident a few years ago, suffering muscle damage in one leg and a broken wrist, said: “The charity has become a bit of a passion, and I want to raise as much money as I can. 

“I'm planning to do a 5k, it could be a run, walk or jog, it will all depend on how I am on the day. I’m proud of how far I’ve come – this challenge is a bit of a fitness journey for me too.” 

The HGV driver is aiming to start at the RNLI station in Porthcawl Head to the Lifeguard station in Rest Bay and back.

Vykki can run 3k currently and is slowly working her way up. She added: “A friend of mine, who is a fitness trainer is helping me, he’s getting me doing exercises in my trailer in between jobs or when I am waiting for a load. 

“I do squats or push-ups off the side wall, and I do short laps back and forth from the front to the back of the trailer.” 

Vykki’s family are also getting involved, helping her with her training. She said: “When I finish work, I go for a very long walk with my dog, and sometimes my children come. 

“I just go as far as I can. I do some warmups before, and some cooldowns afterwards and just try and get my muscles going and improve my cardio fitness. I’m gradually going further and further.” 

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

Vykki said: “It is a shock to hear the amount it costs –you don’t realise what the team do until you look into it. 

“Before all this, I thought that the helicopter would go to the scene, collect the patient and take them to hospital. This has been a real eye-opener for me. The reason it costs so much is because they run so many helicopters and all the medical kit onboard. 

“Plus, all the highly skilled medical team on board – it’s essential.” 

Abi Pierce, Wales Air Ambulance Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for South Wales East said: “It is such a relief to hear that Jason has made a good recovery after being involved in two road traffic collisions in six months. We are glad that our service was able to give him the care he needed when he needed it most. 

“We’d also like to say a huge thank you to Vykki for taking on this fitness challenge in aid of our lifesaving charity. 

“We attend thousands of patients across Wales each year taking hospital-standard treatments to wherever they might be. Fundraisers like this help to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road.”