Swans legends back firewalk fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance

Swansea City legends Lee Trundle and Sammy Wynne are backing a fundraising firewalk to raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance and the Swansea City AFC Foundation.

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(L-R) Swansea City Club Ambassador Lee Trundle, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager Christian Sullivan, and Swans Women’s midfielder Sammy Wynne during their visit to the charity’s Dafen headquarters.

The duo visited the air ambulance charity’s headquarters in Dafen, Llanelli, ahead of the sponsored event at the Swansea.com Stadium on Thursday, March 19.

Supporters are being urged to sign up for the challenge, which is sponsored by Compass Cymru.

Club ambassador Lee Trundle said the visit brought home the importance of the service.

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“When we arrived, we were looking forward to seeing the helicopter and meeting the crew, but they had just been called out on a mission,” he said.

“A real-life emergency was unfolding; it made us realise the importance of the work being done every day in Wales.”

He added: “The service helps thousands of people each year, which has a ripple effect on the communities in which they live. Saving a life – it doesn’t get much bigger than that.”

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Swansea City legend Lee Trundle sits smiling in the driver’s seat of a Wales Air Ambulance rapid response vehicle, which is painted in the charity’s distinctive red, green and yellow livery.
Swansea City Club Ambassador Lee Trundle gets a feel for the driver’s seat in one of the Wales Air Ambulance’s rapid response vehicles (RRVs).

During their visit, the two players were shown the charity’s rapid response vehicles and the high-tech kit used by medics.

Swans Women’s midfielder Sammy Wynne said she was shocked by the weight of the clinical backpacks, which weigh around 27 kilograms.

“You really cannot believe the weight of their rucksacks until you try to lift them,” she said.

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“We were told that the crew sometimes have to walk one or two miles from the drop-off point to the patient. They must be so fit to be able to do their job; it requires such dedication.”

She said the partnership between the club’s foundation and the air ambulance was a perfect match, as both have a common goal of helping people.

The Wales Air Ambulance attended 3,665 emergencies in 2025 and needs to raise £13 million every year to keep its helicopters and rapid response vehicles operational.

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The service is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary, having carried out over 56,000 missions since its first flight from Swansea’s Fairwood Airport on March 1, 2001.

Christian Sullivan, the charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager, said he was grateful for the support from the football club.

“It’s exciting that our firewalk challenge is being hosted at the home of Swansea City Football Club and will benefit both our lifesaving service and the Swans Foundation,” he said.

“Every pound raised on the night will help save lives and support people through programmes in education, health and wellbeing, youth engagement and inclusion.”

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