A CELEBRATED band have made a sizeable donation to Wales Air Ambulance after all their “wonderful, essential work” in the area.
Last Thursday the Oakeley Silver Band presented the helicopter charity with a cheque for a little more than £400.
The donation had a special signification for the ensemble, which won a hat trick of awards at the 2016 National Eisteddfod during a roller coaster year, as two people attached to the Oakeley Silver Band required the charity’s services last year.
Without the rapid response of the Wales Air Ambulance, conductor John Glyn Jones is “certain” he would have lost one of his foremost friends.
“We are so grateful for everything the Wales Air Ambulance do, especially around here where it can take more time for road ambulances to get to emergencies,” John said.
“Last year, the air ambulance attended one of my best friends, Dafydd Jones, and I honestly believe he would not be alive if it were not for the helicopter paramedics.
“They got to Pwllheli within minutes of him collapsing and got him to hospital just in time, they’re miracle workers.
“It’s unbelievable what they do, everyone around here has a story of how the Wales Air Ambulance has directly or indirectly affected them.”
The band raised the money at a special Christmas show in Blaenau Ffestiniog last month with scores of local residents showing up to support both the band and the helicopter charity.
See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday