Yahoo News Tributes paid to Wales Air Ambulance charity's first ever volunteer
Tributes have been paid to the first ever volunteer for WalesAir Ambulance who contributed hugely to the charity over the years. Alun Davies was the first volunteer at the charity when it launched from a small office at Cefn Coed hospital in Swansea in 2001.
He served as a director at the charity and "dedicated himself and campaigned tirelessly" for it upon his retirement. Paying tribute to Alun, who was born in Myddfai and spent many years living in both Ferryside and Cefneithin, the charity described him as a "dear friend".
The touching tribute described how he dedicated so much of his life to its work, adding that "Wales owes you a huge debt of gratitude, Alun". Alun was a proud father to three daughters and nine grandchildren and passed away on April 10 at the age of 77.
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A statement from the charity said: " Alun was our first-ever volunteer when the charity was run from a small office at Cefn Coed hospital, in Swansea. His support of our lifesaving service was invaluable and continued up until recent years. He was best known for running our promotional trailer which he would take to events and shows and then staff it with other charity volunteers.
"Alun also served as the director of the charity’s trading company and played a vital role in the early days of our retail operation. He also held a helicopter pilot’s license which fuelled his passionate conversations about our aircraft and their lifesaving work.
"Alun is a huge part of the history of our charity. During his time with us, we attended tens of thousands of missions and he was with us every step of the way - his contribution to our lifesaving work was immense. He is very much missed by us all. Wales owes you a huge debt of gratitude, Alun. Thank you." For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Alun's three daughters, Wendy, Jayne and Anwen, joked that he probably would have opted for three sons, but he was extremely pleased when all three of his daughters married in the same year, and he quickly gained three sons in their husbands. He raised his family in Ferryside and separated from his first wife of 26 years. He lived in Cefneithin with his "cariad" Elaine before he moved into a care home for the last few years of his life.
He started work as a farmer at the age of 16, but had a love for anything with an engine. "From a tractor to a digger, from a lorry to a bus, to a microlight plane and a helicopter and of course, he loved cars – he did after all have three identical Audis," his daughters described in the eulogy read at his funeral. Get the best user experience with WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android
"Alun enjoyed driving and travelling and thanks to his job as a bus driver and to Jayne for living all over the place, he got to see and experience a lot of the world. He drove all over Europe, ventured numerous times to California and Hawaii and even spent time in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami to help to establish housing for those impacted by the disaster. He would think nothing of hopping in the car to go see me in Leeds only to turn around after a cup of tea and drive straight home," Anwen, his daughter, said.
Alun was also father to Wendy, based in Carmarthen and Jayne who lives in California. Anwen added: "Alun was such a strong and proud man; he was hard-working and ran a successful agricultural and civil construction company for many years employing people from the locality and providing for his family. Despite being “retired”, he continued to work up until covid struck.
"Alun enjoyed working on behalf of his community, for many years he was a St Ishmael community councillor, and was actively involved with the Llandyfaelog Show Committee. After years of practising his singing at the top of his voice on car journeys with his family, Alun later joined Llandovery Male Voice Choir. He sang at many different venues and in particular enjoyed the camaraderie of all the different characters that were also members of the choir.
"Alun was always generous with his time. After he gave up his business, he dedicated himself to, and campaigned tirelessly for his beloved Air Ambulance charity. He was the first-ever volunteer when the Charity was run from a small office at Cefn Coed hospital, in Swansea and served as the Director of the Charity's trading company. We as a family are extremely proud of his role supporting such an important cause, that was so close to his heart. Alun was even recognised for his contribution to the Air Ambulance by being invited to a garden party in Buckingham Palace."
Dementia started to "take a hold" of Alun during the first lockdown in 2020, and towards the end of April 2021 his health had deteriorated and he was taken to hospital. He was too ill to be discharged home and instead went to live at Parc Wern care home.
"Dementia is a devastating illness, and our family will be eternally grateful for the care and thoughtfulness that all at Parc Wern showed Alun whilst he was resident there. The carers do a marvellous job under challenging circumstances and all with professionalism and good humour, which Alun would have appreciated."
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