A Dyfi Valley fundraising team has presented over £5,000 to the Wales Air Ambulance.

The Dyfi Diggers raised £5,109 after a fundraising effort at the Red Bull Hardline event, taking their fundraising total to £15,000 for the air ambulance charity.

Janice Taylor, a member of the Dyfi Diggers, said they started fundraising in 2016, supporting Andrea Atherton, the mother of professional downhill cyclist Dan Atherton, who started fundraising to thank the air ambulance for their treatment of Dan when he suffered serious injuries in 2010.

Janice said: “Since 2015 Andrea Atherton, the mother of Dan, the professional downhill cyclist and designer and creator of the Red Bull Hardline course, has raised money for the Wales Air Ambulance at the Hardline event in Dinas Mawddwy.

In 2010 Dan was airlifted to hospital after a horrific accident.

“Dan made a full recovery thanks to the speed and high level of care he was given by the air ambulance team that day.

“The Dyfi Diggers were formed in 2016 and joined Andrea on the Wales Air Ambulance stall at Hardline that year.

“We all know the vital role the Wales Air Ambulance plays in daily rural life. Downhill cycling is a fantastic sport both professionally and for recreation, but because it’s a sport that uses mountainous, woody terrain the Wales Air Ambulance is invaluable for speedy rescues.”

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