An independent department store in west Wales has generated an outstanding £13,682 for the Wales Air Ambulance following twelve months of dedicated fundraising activities. The entire team at Vincent Davies Department Store selected the vital lifesaving service as their Charity of the Year for 2025, organising a diverse array of events to support the cause.
A Year of Creative Fundraising Efforts
The staff at Vincent Davies Department Store demonstrated remarkable commitment through numerous fundraising initiatives. These included an Easter bingo event, regular bake sales, a quiz night, a Christmas wreath making workshop, and the popular charity jam jars placed in Café Vincent. Additional efforts featured staff sales, raffles, Christmas jumper days, and many other creative activities.
The Singing Penguin Trio: A Community Favourite
One particularly memorable fundraiser involved a much-loved charity singing penguin trio that entertained visitors within the store. This delightful attraction brought smiles to people of all ages while encouraging generous donations from both customers and staff members.
Store Leadership Expresses Pride
Sarah John, Joint Managing Director at Vincent Davies Department Store, shared her enthusiasm about the achievement: "Raising £13,682 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity is something we are extremely proud of at Vincent Davies Department Store. As a director, it's wonderful to see our community come together to support a charity that makes such a lifesaving difference."
The Vital Work of Wales Air Ambulance
The Wales Air Ambulance operates as a consultant-led service that brings hospital-standard treatments directly to patients. When necessary, the service transfers individuals to the most appropriate hospital for their specific illness or injury. This advanced care is delivered through a unique partnership between the third sector and public sector.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) provides highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work aboard the charity's vehicles. Their capabilities include administering anaesthesia, delivering blood transfusions, and conducting minor operations at the scene of incidents.
A Pan-Wales Lifesaving Service
As a service covering all of Wales, dedicated crews travel throughout the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care regardless of their base location. The charity requires £13 million in annual fundraising to maintain its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Previous Support and Future Plans
This represents the second time Vincent Davies Department Store has chosen Wales Air Ambulance as their Charity of the Year. In 2016, the team raised an impressive £5,831 for the same organisation. The store will shortly announce their selected Charity of the Year for 2026.
Charity Representative Expresses Gratitude
Mike May, West Wales Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, expressed heartfelt appreciation: "We are so grateful to Vincent Davies Department Store for raising an incredible amount for our charity. Throughout the year they put on a variety of different events to raise funds and what a successful fundraising year it was!"
He continued: "The staff should be extremely proud of the effort they made to raise these funds. Thank you to the team and the customers, we really appreciate your support of our lifesaving service. By raising £13,682 the staff at Vincent Davies Department Store have played an important part in saving lives across the country."
