A New Quay couple has raised more than £22,800 over the past four years through a charity car festival, Wheels for Wales, created as a thank-you to the Wales Air Ambulance. The lifesaving service came to the aid of Emily Bell's father following a road traffic collision in May 2021.
From small event to major festival
“A small car event which was meant to be a ‘thank you’ to Wales Air Ambulance has turned into a massive festival, which attracts hundreds of people each year,” said Emily. The 2026 edition, held last month at Charlie’s Field, raised almost £6,000 for the charity. Since 2022, the festival has raised enough to cover the cost of six lifesaving combined air and road missions.
Funding critical missions
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.
Emotional visit to clinicians
Emily recently visited clinicians in Dafen with her family and described it as an 'emotional experience'. It was the first time since the collision that her father had been near the helicopter. “We were all at the scene when dad was attended, so seeing my family experience the helicopter in a positive way this time around, has been very special. To see Dad stood next to the helicopter reminded us just how grateful we really are to the charity and how proud we are to have created Wheels for Wales,” she said.
Stepping back but staying involved
Emily is stepping back from organising the festival and will use her fundraising experience to help support other people with their events. “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all those who got behind our event over the years. Our incredible sponsors, volunteers, food vendors, trade stands and those who attended all played their part and made a lifesaving difference,” she added.
Charity's gratitude
Sion Edwards, from the charity, said: “We are hugely grateful to Emily and Owain, for creating such an amazing event in aid of Wales Air Ambulance. As they take a breather from their own event, it’s wonderful to have Emily on board in our fundraising team. Her great eye for detail and expertise for organising large scale events will now benefit our charity, every day. Every pound donated will make a lifesaving difference! Diolch yn fawr.”
