A former banker says becoming a volunteer for Wales Air Ambulance has brought him closer to his community.

Andrew Catling, 77, was born in Norwich and worked in Northampton as a branch director for Lloyds Bank before moving to Knighton on his retirement in 2006.

He spent all his career doing a job he loved, so when it came to stepping away, he knew the one thing he would miss most was the social aspect.

After attending a charity talk, he decided to volunteer and after almost 18 years, he is still the Wales Air Ambulance’s representative for the town.

Andrew said: “I didn’t want to be isolated after doing a job which involved me mixing with people, staff and customers, in a very big way. I always got on well with people and I wanted to do something that provided a social outlet as well, but I wanted to do it with a purpose which was adding benefit to what I was doing.”

He added: “What Wales Air Ambulance has enabled me to do, is to get to know the community, to continue my skills and discuss and chat to people, building a very strong personal relationship.

“To be honest it has been an extension of a career without being paid, other than the travelling as a volunteer. I really couldn’t have done anything better to be honest.”

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.

The one thing Andrew admires most about the service is how it has transformed over the years.

He said: “If you are a volunteer, you like to think that the charity you are working for is progressive and is always moving with the times. The air ambulance has evolved so much since I’ve been volunteering, it was quite basic in the beginning and is now one of the best services in Europe. That is something I am hugely proud to shout about.”

Andrew particularly enjoys doing talks in his community about the lifesaving work of the crew and the kit they use.

He said: “When you think about the critical care that we can now provide, through the involvement of the clinicians on board, it is outstanding.”

Volunteers are an integral part of the Wales Air Ambulance; they provide additional knowledge, skills and ongoing help that supports the Charity across its functions, whether attending fundraising events in the community, helping in the Charity’s shops, or acting as Trustees.

Andrew admits he has been fortunate to find something which he is so passionate about. He said: “As soon as I hear anything in the air, I shoot out of my house to see whether it is a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter, because the connection is so strong.

“I have been to Welshpool, which is one of our bases and I have met the team there. I haven’t been up in the helicopter, but I am living the charity all the time.”

Andrew was keen “not to become isolated” on his retirement and says since he joined the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, he has had “a very fulfilling time”, with lots of “standout moments”.

He said: “I get a real buzz talking about the service and the work it does. It just makes life more enjoyable that you are part of the set-up, even though you are just a volunteer getting on with things for the benefit of the Charity.

“If anybody asked me, ‘What do you think?’, ‘Is it worth doing?’ I would say yes, you’ll get a lot of benefits from it, and you’ll feel very, very pleased, that you took the leap.”

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity must raise £11.2 million each year to keep our helicopters in the air and Rapid Response Vehicles on the road – with donations and fundraising events key to the service’s survival.

Andrew loves to help people organise fundraising events in his region and says many have developed into lifelong friendships.

He said: “I’ve kept in contact with a lot of people who have been kind enough to think of us and donate money to help us keep doing what we do.

“It just gives me a spring in my step, because I feel that I am contributing something to the community in some small way.”

He continued: “Most people have some connection with the service, whether you know someone who works for it, or has needed it. It’s also very moving when you hear some of the stories from former patients and their families. I like to stay in touch to see how people’s lives are progressing post injury or illness.

“Some take months, even years to recover and when they choose to give back, it’s very special to help support them with that.”

Kate Thomas, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager for Powys, said: “It’s so lovely to hear Andrew talk so passionately about our service. We are hugely grateful for his support and it’s wonderful to hear that he thinks it has helped ‘enrich’ his retirement.

“Being a volunteer is a great way for people to maintain social relationships and can help reduce loneliness and isolation. We are always looking for new volunteers and are actively recruiting throughout the year. Whatever your background or skill base, there is a place for everyone.”