WELSH Ambulance Service staff are geared up to cycle through Normandy to raise money for charity.
The Woody’s Lodge charity provides a communications and social hub for veterans, emergency services, reservists and their families, providing support and activities to those struggling with everyday life challenges.
More than 70 riders will be taking part in the Normandy Battlefield Tour to raise money for Woody’s Lodge, including Welsh Ambulance Service’s duty operational managers Julie Hillier and Kevin Dwyer and Ian Price from Cardiff make ready depot in Cardiff Ambulance Station.
Paramedics Stan Baxter, Andy Ellis and Simon Holiday and Emergency Medical Technician Simon Thomas from the Trust’s Cycle Response Unit (CRU) are giving up their time to provide medical cover and cycle repair.
Over the three days, the team aim to cycle over 250 miles, stopping to pay their respects and lay wreaths at various memorial sites along the route.
Julie said: “Our aim was to raise at least £4,500, and we are smashing it.
“We’ve held a charity race night and quiz night, and the CRU support staff have pledged a further £1,000 to the cause.
“Woody’s Lodge is a fantastic charity who support our emergency service staff, along with veterans of our armed forces.”
The Woody’s Lodge Normandy Battlefield Tours starts tomorrow (11-15 July 2023.)
Stan Baxter, who also participated in last year’s charity cycle ride, said: “It’s a real privilege to be asked again to provide support to such an amazing charity that gives so much back to the veteran and emergency services community here in Wales.
“Being a military veteran myself, it will also be quite humbling to see the history and try to understand the sacrifice our men and women from the UK Armed Forces made 79 years ago.
“The team have been fundraising over the last few months and want to thank everyone for donating.”
Sian Woodland, Deputy CEO at Woody's Lodge, said: “We're deeply moved by the Welsh Ambulance Service’s gesture to honour the sacrifices made by our armed forces during their charity ride across the Normandy Battlefields.
“This poignant act resonates with our mission at Woody's Lodge to remember, support, and uplift our service personnel and their families.
“We also wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Welsh Ambulance Service for their continued dedication and unwavering support towards our cause.”
You can sponsor the team via the Woody’s Lodge JustGiving page here.
Editor’s Notes
For more information, please call Communications Officer Beth Eales on 07870 383209 or email Beth.Eales@wales.nhs.uk
Woody’s Lodge currently have three centres across Wales, there website can be found here: https://www.woodyslodge.org/