A retired couple have conducted 27 quiz nights at the Castle Hotel in Llandovery, in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.

Rod and Sally Perkins, who have four children and three grandchildren between them, raised £2,396 for the charity from March to September last year.

This followed quizzers voting in favour of the lifesaving service to receive the funds.

Rod, who served with Sussex Police for 30 years, said: “It’s a much-needed service, especially around our area and we were delighted to support the charity once again.

“About halfway through the summer we asked those taking part who they would like to receive the funds. This year the air ambulance topped the poll.

“This is not the first time we’ve fundraised for them, we did just before Covid as well, we were a much smaller concern then and we raised £630.”

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.

Rod said: “Sadly, there are lots of motorcycle accidents this way and we have seen the helicopter many times.

“You know when it turns up, that something is seriously wrong, and you just hope for the best for those involved.”

He continued: “Obviously to have someone on board the air ambulance with that level of critical care will make such a difference to their health outcome.”

Rod and Sally’s quiz has grown in popularity over the years. It used to be held in a local pub, but as more people started taking part, they moved it to a hotel ballroom.

Sally, a retired security officer at Gatwick Airport, said: “We are hugely grateful to the Castle Hotel; they do not charge us for use of the space.

“Their team is hugely supportive of what we do and have helped us over the years raise as much as we can, helping lifesaving causes like the air ambulance and blood bikes.”

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.

The funds raised by Rod and Sally’s quiz marathon were equivalent to the cost of covering a single mission or buying a helmet for one of the crew.

When reflecting on the presentation night, Sally said: “It was a very emotional evening handing the cheque over to Mike from the charity.

“We were just bursting with pride for everybody that has supported us, because if they didn’t come along each week, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

Mike May, Regional Fundraiser for South West Wales, took part in the final quiz night, with his team coming third.

He said: “What a fantastic community effort! We are hugely grateful to Rod and Sally for bringing everyone together, and to the Castle Hotel for hosting their events.

“Without people like Rod and Sally, we really could not do what we do.”