Fy20 / My20

Organised by Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust

I ddathlu ein pen-blwydd yn 20 oed rydym yn gofyn i chi ymgymryd â her sy'n gysylltiedig â'r rhif 20 trwy gydol mis Mawrth. To celebrate our 20th birthday we are asking you to take on a challenge related to the number 20 throughout March.

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The Charity celebrates its 20th anniversary on 1 March and to acknowledge the milestone Wales Air Ambulance has created a new fundraising event called My20.

My20 allows the participant to set themselves a challenge, task or activity that relates to the number 20 which they will complete during March. Examples could include walking 20 miles, baking 20 cakes, learning 20 new Welsh phrases or completing 20 minutes of gardening a day.

Mark Stevens, Wales Air Ambulance Fundraising Manager, said: Taking part in My20 is a great way to celebrate the Charitys 20th anniversary while raising funds for our 24/7 lifesaving service. The great thing about My20 is that you are in control. You can pick something that will motivate yourself, or a challenge youve always wanted to do but havent found the time until now. You can also get children involved in the fun.

One thing we have learned during the lockdowns is how creative our supporters are. Were looking forward to seeing what diverse and innovative challenges people of all ages do throughout the month of March.

For more information, challenge ideas, and to register, please visit:

www.walesairambulance.com/my20

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As a retired nurse and community fundraising volunteer who enjoys knitting, I decided for the My20 Challenge to knit 20 baby hats which would not only benefit the fundraising for Wales Air Ambulance but also the Maternity unit at University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, who are always in need of hats for the new born. As the Children's Wales Air Ambulance undertakes transfers of babies of all ages, including premature babies, I think the two fold challenge was appropriate. - Anne Hughes - Volunteer.

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What a first week!

We have already raised over £5000 on the JustGiving page from all of our amazing entrants. Thank you so much!

It has been amazing to hear how you are all getting on over on our Facebook My20 group. We have had pictures and videos shared form you all, which are all brilliant!

If you'd like to join the group and share your progress head to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fy.my20/

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Haiku is a short form of poetry which originates from Japan and consists of only three lines and 17 syllables.

For Steven's My20, he has taken one the challenge of writing 20 Haiku during March.

Here's a selection at some of his beautiful poems.

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Three days in and we are off to an amazing start! Thank you again to everyone who has entered and is working hard towards completing their challenge, task or new skill!

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March has finally arrived and what a beautiful day it is! Not only is it St David's Day and our 20th Anniversary but it is also the start of My20! We hope that you are all ready to start your challenges or tasks, whatever they may be!

We are off to a great start with over £3000 raised from JustGiving. Thank you to everyone who have helped us reach this amazing amount already.

If you have Facebook make sure you join our My20 Facebook group where you can share what you are up to for your My20.

My20 Facebook Page

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Only 3 days until March! We hope that you are ready to take on your challenges, tasks or skills ... whatever they may be!

If you have any questions about your My20 or fundraising, make sure you contact your local Community Fundraiser. They are here to support you on your fundraising journey.

If you don't have a JustGiving page set up, don't worry, there is still plenty of time. Alternatively, you or your supporters can donate directly to the page.

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A big thank you to television presenter Iolo Williams for showing his support for our 20th anniversary and My20 challenge.

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One of the great things about My20 is that you can choose any challenge, task or skill you like ... the world is your oyster! Lets hear from some of the Wales Air Ambulance team and see what they are doing for My20.

Working and home schooling has been tough during this pandemic so I can't wait to take on this personal challenge. I will be running for 20 days in March for my own wellbeing and for some 'me time'. Roll on My20! - Elin Murphy, South Wales Community Fundraiser.

"I love to set myself challenges and My20 is the perfect opportunity to push myself while also raising funds for this awesome charity. During March I will be running, cycling and sea swimming a combination of 20 times. - Katie Macro, South West Wales Community Fundraiser.

"Wales Air Ambulance is such a worthy charity across Wales, the support and help it gives across rural areas of Wales, is a life line for those communities. My20 is a great way to support and you can take part in many ways. I will be eating 20 completely dry crackers all at once for My20. This way I can raise vital funds for the charity, but also my friends, family and work mates will have a few moments of piece and quite from me. - Dougie Bancroft, North Powys Community Fundraiser.

" I needed the motivation to get active. I can't wait to get started with my 20 exercises for 20 days. - Jane Griffiths, South Wales Community Fundraiser.

"I love sewing and crafting, so my challenge is to make 20 items to sell. I will then donate the proceeds to the My20 campaign. - Wendy McManus, South East Wales Community Fundraiser.

The benefit of My20 is that it offers huge diversity in fundraising options. For me, Ill be turning a hobby into an opportunity to raise money for, and awareness of, our lifesaving service. I enjoy writing haiku, a form of micro poetry which originates from Japan. I usually create two or three a month but during March Ill write 20 haiku. Hopefully, people will read, enjoy and donate. - Steven Stokes, Head of Communications.

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With only four days to go to the start of My20, we have loved hearing your challenge ideas. Did you know we have a Facebook Group dedicated to My20? Here you'll be able to share your photos and keep us updated with your progress.

Facebook Group