RAISING VITAL FUNDS: Ricky North and his son Jensen, took on Japan’s highest mountain for the life-saving charity
A father and son put on their walking boots to climb Mount Fuji in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance.
Ricky North and his son Jensen, 13, took on Japan’s highest mountain and raised £500 for the life-saving charity.
Ricky who is a local of The Cross Keys, Llanfynydd chose to raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance in support of the pub, who regularly fundraise for the charity, and in memory of Mark Steene’s support of the charity.
His son Jensen, who lives in France with his mum, also joined him for the challenge.
FUNDRAISING DUO: Ricky and son Jensen
In 2015, the Wales Air Ambulance attended Mark following a cycling accident which left him paralysed.
Sadly, he passed away six years later aged just 54. A keen cyclist and businessman, he would spend many a happy time at The Cross Keys with friends, creating memories and sharing good times. Mark raised over £15,000 for the charity.
The challenge took Ricky and Jensen four days to complete, a proud Ricky said:
“The challenge was hard physically and mentally. I am immensely proud of Jensen for climbing the highest mountain in Japan at just 13-years-old.
“Japan is an unbelievable country and the Japanese are amazing people, they’re so kind and happy. We are ready for the next challenge.”
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 Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2m required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
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.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Ricky and Jensen are delighted to have raised the amount they have for the lifesaving charity.
Ricky said: “I’m super proud of how much we raised, and the money is going to a great cause.
“I think the Wales Air Ambulance service is very important because without it a lot of people would be in great difficulty.”
Deb Sima, North Wales regional fundraising manager for Wales Air Ambulance said:
“A huge thank you to Ricky and Jensen for taking on this huge challenge of hiking Japan’s highest mountain Mount Fuji.
“You should both be extremely proud, especially Jensen who completed it at just 13-years-old. You’ve raised an amazing amount for our lifesaving charity.
“The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2m every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road.
“Ricky and Jensen’s fundraising will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.
“Thank you to everyone who supported them both with their fundraiser. You have all played a part in saving lives across Wales.”
Location: Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire
AloJapan.com