5-year-old raises cash for charity in memory of his dad
A BRAVE five-year-old schoolboy has presented the Wales Air Ambulance with cheque for more than £1,800 in memory of his father who tragically died in a motorcycle accident.
Calan-james Rees, from Ammanford, climbed Pen y Fan on the first anniversary of his dad Sam Rees’ death in August.
Sam died last year, following an off-road motorcycle accident in Tairgwaith.
Calan-james was joined by his mother Gemma Lewis and around 30 family members on the climb up the highest peak in South Wales, which is situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Calan-james completed the fundraiser in just 1 hour and 21 minutes in aid of the charity.
The family took Sam’s memory teddy bear, which was made from his pyjamas and has some of Sam’s ashes in the belly, with them on the climb up Pen y Fan.
Calan-james was delighted to present the cheque to the charity at a recent airbase visit at the Wales
Air Ambulance’s headquarters in Dafen, Llanelli. They were also joined by Calan-james’ auntie, Rachel, and cousin Koby.
A delighted Gemma said: “We absolutely loved our base visit, it really was more of an eye-opener to what incredible dedication, love and support our heroes put into every patient in need.
“Our heroes don’t get enough credit and we couldn’t thank them enough.
“We are so thankful and grateful for all the support and love our community put into helping us raise the money for an amazing cause.”
Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’.
The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world.
They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.
Calan-james’ school friends at Ysgol Gwaun Cae Gurwen in Ammanford also showed support by raising £100 towards his fundraiser by having an in-house sponsored walk around the school.
Katie Macro, Wales Air Ambulance’s campaigns manager, said: “Calan-james and Gemma have raised a fantastic £1,879 for the charity in memory of their muchloved father and partner, Sam.
“Despite the pain the family are going through, they wanted to help raise funds so our medics could be there for the people of Wales when they need us most, which is inspirational.
“We are very grateful for this donation raised by the family. Calan-james is a delightful boy, and he should be immensely proud of what he has achieved at such a young age.”