A PEMBROKESHIRE-based service station business has donated £40,000 to the Wales Air Ambulance.

Ascona Group, which has its headquarters in Pembroke Dock, had made an initial £10,000 donation in March as the Wales Air Ambulance was named the forecourt operator’s official charity partner.

And now, following the success of the business’ fundraising activities over the past few months, Ascona has made this additional donation.

A spokesperson for Ascona said the company anticipates raising more than £100,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance over the course of the year-long partnership, through all of its planned fundraising activities.

The partnership helps to support the Wales Air Ambulance in their mission to deliver lifesaving medical care to people across Wales. The service relies entirely on charitable donations to raise the necessary £11.2 million in funds to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the roads across Wales.

Ascona employs more than 850 people and has 62 services across the UK – including in Haverfordwest, Neyland, Pembroke, St Clears, Gorslas, Llandeilo, and Aberaeron. It has also been named a top 10 UK independent forecourt operator and one of The Sunday Times’ 100 fastest growing businesses.

Darren Briggs, founder and chief executive of Ascona Group, said: “Since we launched Ascona in 2011, supporting our local communities has been at the heart of everything we do so I am very proud that we are able to support the Wales Air Ambulance in their vital work.

“I am thrilled that we were able to make another significant donation to the charity, and we remain on track to hit our ambitious fundraising target which will help to ensure this fantastic charity can continue to deliver lifesaving medical care to people across Wales.” 

Mark Stevens, head of fundraising at the Wales Air Ambulance charity, said: “We are all amazed at the level of support from Ascona Group.

“This is the certainly the most ambitious pledge received from a business to the charity in recent years.

“Working with Ascona on the partnership has been positive and rewarding. It is very rare to partner with a business that demonstrates such high levels of corporate social responsibility.

“On behalf of all crew, staff and patients, thank you.”