This week, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) will once again be hosting hearty breakfast events in Pembrokeshire to bring people together and raise money as Wales Air Ambulance and Farmers’ Union of Wales mark their first year in partnership.
In 2024, the FUW President Ian Rickman nominated the lifesaving service as his chosen Charity for two years. Over the past 12 months, representatives from the Charity have attended farmhouse breakfast events and County Shows across Wales alongside the FUW, promoting the service they deliver.
The breakfast events will also mark two milestones for the Farmers’ Union of Wales, as it celebrates 70 years since its formation in 1955, and 15 since the county breakfast events were first trialled.
In Pembrokeshire, FUW Breakfast events take place on January 21, 8-10.30am at Canolfan Hermon, and on January 24, 8.30-11am Crundale Hall. To book, call 01437 762913.
Ian said: “It is so great to be working in partnership with the Wales Air Ambulance, in this our 70th year. We have worked together at some of the big social events in the Welsh agricultural calendar.
“It’s been a really great opportunity for the Charity to get out there with us and communicate what it’s doing as a service.”
The 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.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Ian said: “We wanted to give the service a platform alongside us so that our members could meet them on our stand. It was a chance for us to also tell them about the excellent work it does because I do not think a lot of people know about that.
“Anything that we can do to help others understand the cost of funding the air ambulance we will. It costs a lot of money to run, and we are well aware of that as a union.”
Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Ian said: “It is such a great cause and what the Wales Air Ambulance does for rural communities is vital, specifically for our members who are farmers. The work that they have done is incredible.
“We work in isolated conditions as farmers – it is great to know that service is there when we need it. Lots of our members will often say they needed the service or know someone who has, so we really value that as farmers.”
He is also mindful that farmers are often reluctant to dial 999 when suffering a serious health episode or if they have been involved in an accident.
“It is dire really, that farmers leave it to the last minute before putting a call into the emergency services. If there is one thing that comes out of this, I hope that people realise the air ambulance will be there for them if they are in a critical situation.”
The FUW has pledged to continue to help fundraising for the charity throughout 2025.
Ian said: “We have our farmhouse breakfast week which runs from Saturday 18 to Sunday 26 January.
“All the counties in Wales will be organising breakfast events.
“We are opening our doors to everyone – just come along and enjoy a hearty breakfast made from local produce and find out where your nearest farm is.”
He added: “A lot of the proceeds from those breakfasts will go towards raising money for the air ambulance.
“It’s a great way to get farmers who work in isolation to come together and socialise, it’s a chance to taste great local food, and help raise money for an incredible cause.”
Dr Sue Barnes, Chief Executive, Wales Air Ambulance Charity said: “We are hugely grateful to the Farmers’ Union of Wales for their generosity and support.
“The past twelve months have been incredible, with the FUW inviting us to join its members on the road for the county show calendar and now Farmhouse Breakfast Week.
“2025 is getting off to a busy start and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership this year.”
She added: “I’d like to extend my personal thanks to FUW President Ian Rickman for choosing us as his Charity and helping raise funds for our lifesaving service.
“It costs £11.2 million each year to keep our helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road.
“Partnerships like this are key to enabling us to continue to be there for the people of Wales, wherever and whenever they need us.”
In Pembrokeshire, FUW Breakfast events take place on January 21, 8-10.30am at Canolfan Hermon, and on January 24, 8.30-11am Crundale Hall. To book, call 01437 762913.