Key Points:
- Wales Air Ambulance Charity’s much-loved “Coffee and Cake” fundraiser returns for 2026.
- Bangor shop at Menai Shopping Centre to host Coffee and Cake fundraising morning on Saturday, 28 February, from 10am to 3pm.
- Event coincides with the Charity’s 25th anniversary celebrations running through March and April.
- Community members encouraged to host their own Coffee and Cake events across Wales.
- The Charity must raise £13 million annually to maintain air and road emergency operations.
- Fundraising Operations Manager Laura Coyne invites everyone to take part.
- Wales Air Ambulance delivers hospital-standard emergency treatment across Wales through its partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS).
- Charity celebrates 25 years of providing lifesaving medical care across Wales.
Bangor (The Wales Times), February 24, 2026 — The Wales Air Ambulance Charity’s popular Coffee and Cake fundraiser is returning once again this year, with the Bangor charity shop preparing to host its own event on Saturday, 28 February, from 10am to 3pm. This much-anticipated fundraiser coincides with the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebrations, marking a milestone of 25 years providing lifesaving emergency care across Wales.
Why is this year’s ‘Coffee and Cake’ event special?
The 2026 Coffee and Cake gathering is not just another charity fundraiser; it’s a celebration of a quarter-century of service. Wales Air Ambulance has been saving lives for 25 years, providing critical care to patients anywhere in Wales, whether in urban centres or remote rural areas.
The concept behind Coffee and Cake is simple but effective — bringing people together over hot drinks and sweet treats while raising funds that directly support the charity’s helicopters and rapid response vehicles. Every cup of coffee poured and slice of cake sold contributes to keeping the service running.
Each year, the Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £13 million to maintain its life-saving operations. The funds cover costs such as fueling helicopters, maintaining ambulances, training medical professionals, and ensuring that the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) can continue to deliver hospital-standard treatment at the scene of incidents.
What will happen at the Bangor charity shop event?
On Saturday, 28 February, the Charity’s shop in Menai Shopping Centre, Bangor, will open its doors to the local public, who are invited to enjoy coffee, tea, cakes, and a warm community atmosphere. The event will run from 10am until 3pm, and all proceeds from donations will go directly toward supporting Wales Air Ambulance’s lifesaving missions.
The Bangor fundraising team has prepared a relaxed environment where visitors can take a break, socialise, and help contribute to the 25th anniversary fundraising total. The shop will also welcome donations of home-baked goods or packaged treats for those who wish to contribute to the day’s offerings.
Fundraising Operations Manager Laura Coyne expressed her excitement ahead of the event:
“It’s the Charity’s 25th birthday on St. David’s Day, and our shop in Bangor will mark the occasion by hosting its own Coffee and Cake event on Saturday, 28 February, between 10am and 3pm. Everyone is welcome, and we’d be delighted if you joined us for some nice treats — you’ll be making a lifesaving difference, and that really is the icing on the cake.”
How can supporters across Wales take part in Coffee and Cake 2026?
The Wales Air Ambulance team is encouraging communities across the country to join in the celebrations by hosting their own Coffee and Cake events throughout March and April 2026.
Individuals, schools, workplaces, and community groups can organise their own coffee mornings, bake sales, or afternoon teas, uniting people in support of the lifesaving charity.
Laura Coyne said that the charity is eager to support everyone who wishes to take part, no matter how big or small their event is:
“Many of us love a catch-up with a slice of cake, and whether you’re part of a community group, a school, a business or hosting something at home, we’d love to help and support you with your own event. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced baker or prefer to buy your cakes from a shop — every cake sold helps support our lifesaving Charity.”
To make participation even easier, the charity offers downloadable fundraising packs, promotional materials, and registration forms on its official website.
Coyne added:
“It’s our 25th birthday, and we wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone without the hard work and dedication of our supporters and volunteers. We ‘knead’ your help to make this the biggest party yet! If you’re inspired to host your own celebration, sign up today — you’ll be making a lifesaving difference. That really is the icing on the cake.”
How does Wales Air Ambulance provide lifesaving care across Wales?
The Wales Air Ambulance is unique in the UK’s charitable medical network because it brings hospital-standard treatments directly to patients. The charity’s service is consultant-led, meaning qualified NHS consultants and critical care practitioners respond to emergencies aboard helicopters or rapid response vehicles.
Through its partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), the charity ensures that those specialists can reach patients at the scene of an accident or medical emergency far faster than traditional road ambulance services.
The care delivered includes advanced medical procedures such as:
- Administering anaesthesia at the scene.
- Delivering blood transfusions during transport.
- Performing minor surgical operations in emergency settings.
These immediate interventions often make the difference between life and death. In Wales, where geography can present challenges to timely hospital access, the charity’s airborne and ground-based crews provide a vital link in emergency response.
Why does the Wales Air Ambulance rely on public donations?
Although it delivers a critical component of emergency medical care in Wales, the Wales Air Ambulance Charity receives no direct government funding for daily operations. The organisation relies entirely on public donations, community events, legacy giving, and corporate partnerships to sustain its efforts.
Fundraising events like Coffee and Cake are therefore essential. Every pound raised helps ensure helicopters remain airborne, vehicles stay on the road, and highly trained medical staff are always ready to deploy.
The charity’s annual running cost of £13 million highlights the scale of its operation and how vital community participation is in meeting that goal.
What does the 25th anniversary represent for the charity?
This year’s campaign carries a strong sense of gratitude and reflection. Since its founding in 2001, Wales Air Ambulance has responded to thousands of emergencies across the country, saving countless lives and bringing hospital-level care to patients when and where it’s most needed.
Over 25 years, the service has built a reputation for excellence, compassion, and innovation in emergency medical response. The 25th anniversary isn’t just a celebration of the past — it’s also a reaffirmation of its mission to provide the most advanced pre-hospital care possible.
Coyne said the anniversary marks an important moment for both the charity and its community of supporters:
“We wouldn’t be celebrating 25 years of lifesaving service without the incredible support of people across Wales — from our volunteers to every donor who’s ever dropped a coin into one of our collection boxes. This fundraiser is our way of saying thank you and inviting everyone to be part of something special.”
How can people get involved right now?
Anyone interested in contributing can either visit the Bangor shop event on 28 February or register online to host their own Coffee and Cake fundraiser in March or April. The charity’s website includes easy sign-up options and provides users with downloadable resources, promotional posters, and collecting tins.
Even those unable to host can still support the campaign by visiting a local Wales Air Ambulance charity shop, purchasing merchandise, or donating items for resale. Every action — large or small — helps keep the aircraft flying and the medical teams ready to respond.
What impact has the Wales Air Ambulance made over the years?
Since its first mission 25 years ago, Wales Air Ambulance has become a symbol of emergency response excellence across the nation. Its crews are trained to deal with a wide range of critical incidents, including serious road collisions, cardiac arrests, sports injuries, and paediatric emergencies.
Every mission matters. The service’s ability to reduce response times and bring expert treatment directly to the scene means hundreds of lives are saved each year.
The anniversary fundraiser, therefore, not only marks a celebration but also reinforces the charity’s ongoing commitment to evolving its equipment, training, and operational capacity so that no patient in Wales is ever too far from lifesaving help.
What lies ahead for the Wales Air Ambulance after 25 years?
As it moves beyond its 25th anniversary, the charity is focused on developing sustainable operations that balance environmental responsibility with medical excellence. By upgrading its aircraft fleet and investing in advanced clinical technology, Wales Air Ambulance continues to ensure its service remains among the most advanced in Europe.
This year’s Coffee and Cake fundraiser symbolises more than a celebration — it’s a community pledge to keep these vital missions going for decades to come.
