Members of Cradoc Golf Club have raised thousands of pounds for the Wales Air Ambulance after a series of events over a 12-month period.

Ladies captain Janet Hendey and Men’s captain Steve Like chose the lifesaving service as their Charity from March 2023-24.

Janet is a photographer who lives near Brecon and has been a member for nine years.

“We chose jointly to support the Wales Air Ambulance,” she said.

“I did not know much about it at the time but there was a serious incident that occurred in September when I was playing on the course and a contractor was seriously injured.

“I witnessed the air ambulance land on one of the fairways and it dawned on me how important it is.

“I am glad that as a result of that we were able to help support the Charity and raise funds.”

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.

Steve, a former postmaster who joined the golf club when he was 33, said: “I have supported the air ambulance for a considerable number of years.

“It is such an important charity and does incredible work saving thousands of lives each year.

“It’s been an honour to help fundraise over the past 12 months – we are grateful for all the support of our golfing colleagues and the club, for making it the success it has been.”

Janet and Steve helped organise several competitions at the club and social events during their years as club captains.

Steve said: “We suffered during the end of the Covid period, it did have a knock-on effect, but people have been hugely supportive throughout our term.”

‘Charity captain hazards’ also helped raise funds, Janet said: “We do have quite a few around the course. If a ball goes into a ditch, you must put money into the captain’s charity jar. Everyone is a good sport and gets involved.”

She continued: “Everyone also pitched in with our Captain’s Charity Day. All those who took part did not receive prizes, instead the money was put in the pot for the air ambulance.

“We also had lots of raffles, and the men had a knockout match day competition – we auctioned the pairings off and only a small percentage of the money went to the players.”

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, and the service attends around 4,000 patients across Wales each year.

The members of Cradoc Golf Club raised £3,270 for the all-Wales Charity.

Its General Manager Bradley Stuart said: “I am incredibly proud to reflect on the success of our recent fundraising efforts for the Wales Air Ambulance.

“It fills me with immense joy to see our club come together for such a meaningful cause.

“The generosity and dedication shown by everyone, from volunteers to supporters, has been nothing short of inspiring.”

He continued: “We’ve raised a significant amount that will make a real difference in the lives of those in need of emergency care.

“It’s moments like these that truly showcase the heart of our club, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Kate Thomas, Regional Fundraising Manager for Powys, added: “We are so grateful that Janet and Steve chose us as the Club Captains’ Charity for the year.

“It’s wonderful that their friends and family supported their mission to raise money for us through the events they organised during their term.

“To all those whose ball went into the ditch, thank you for your hazards’ donation! Every penny really does count.

“We rely on the kindness of all of our supporters and fundraisers like these enable us to keep doing what we do.”