SHEEP shearers flocked together to raise nearly £10,000 for a life-saving air ambulance service which helps Anglesey residents.

A shearing day was held The Ring public house in Rhosgoch to raise cash for the Wales Air Ambulance charity.

The annual shearing event has supported local charities for more than 20 years. This year 500 people attended and a total of £9,688.34 was raised for the helicopter charity.

Committee member Nia Williams described how The Cneifio Ring originally started in 1992.

"It started as a send-off party for sheep shearers who had travelled from New Zealand to spend the summer shearing on Anglesey," she said.

"By the early 2000’s the event had turned into an annual fundraiser with people turning up in their droves."

"At the start, the donations were modest but steadily increased and 2012 was a special year with an incredible £8,000 raised. Since then, the amount raised every year has ballooned.”

Held in a marquee in the pub car park the event starts with a shearing competition, followed by an auction. There is also entertainment, hog roast, side stalls and a raffle.

Auction items and meat for the roast are donated by local businesses and individuals from the area.

Nia said: “We are extremely fortunate to have such overwhelming support from the local community and everyone is always very generous with donations.

"We feel strongly that Wales Air Ambulance is an extremely valuable service for us islanders.

"Several times we have witnessed the swift response of the emergency helicopter landing nearby to people who are in their hour of need. It really is so vitally important for rural communities such as ours in Rhosgoch.”

Wales Air Ambulance, North Wales fundraising manager, Lynne Garlick said: “We cannot begin to thank everyone involved in this annual fundraising event for their unwavering support.

"To see this small rural area raise such an incredible amount, truly is heart-warming. They have an enormous sense of community and their generosity knows no bounds. In 2018, we attended 99 missions on the island alone, accounting for on average eight missions per month.

"We are only able to continue to be there for the people of Wales with the support of groups such as the Rhosgoch Sheep Shearers.”