Family of Arwel Davies meet William and Kate at Wales Air Ambulance HQ

Prince William and Princess Catherine officially opened the charity’s patient and family room, which has been dedicated in memory of the popular father-of-two, who lost his life at the age of 40.

The room, which was supported by 2wish Charity, will provide a safe, private and inviting space for families dealing with bereavement and trauma.

It was designed by patient liaison nurses Jo Yeoman and Hayley Whitehead-Wright as well as Arwel’s children Owen, 11, and Sofia, 8, who chose what they wanted to be included in the room.

The children also helped to paint the first part of the room and drew balloons in memory of their father, whose passion was hot-air ballooning.

A specially-designed hot air balloon now hangs in the room, as well as a framed picture that Owen drew in memory of Arwel.

The Davies family spoke with Their Royal Highnesses privately in the room, before Sofia presented Princess Catherine with a bouquet of flowers and Owen presented Prince William with a framed picture of the Charity’s helicopter.

Speaking after the royal visit, Arwel’s wife, Laura, said that the family were honoured and proud to be able to share he husband's memory with the Royal couple.

“On behalf of myself, Owen, Sofia and the entire Davies family, I would like to extend our huge gratitude for what can only be described as an incredible day," she said.

"We had the huge privilege of visiting the Wales Air Ambulance base in Llanelli, for the opening of the patient and family room, in memory of our wonderful husband, father, son and brother, Arwel.

“The entire day was a reflection of the love that we all have for Arwel and we are all very proud to have shared with the Prince and Princess of Wales, our fond memories of Arwel, our adventures in the family hot air balloon, and to present to them the patient and family room.

“We as a family will always be grateful for the time they spent with us and how they listened to our stories with kindness and compassion.

"They made Owen and Sofia feel incredibly special and told the children to “keep talking about Dadi” something we will certainly always do.”

Patient Liaison Nurse Jo Yeoman, Sofia, Laura Davies, Owen, Patient Liaison Nurse Hayley Whitehead-Wright and Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive, Sue Barnes. (Image: Wales Air Ambulance)

Laura said the aftercare support the family had received from the Charity’s Patient Liaison Nurse, Jo Yeoman, had been incredibly beneficial. 

“The support that we as a family have received from Jo has been overwhelming since the moment she reached out to us," she said.

"To share the day with Jo, along with her colleague Hayley, and all the Wales Air Ambulance crew and staff was very special to us.

“What has been created is a dedicated space for patients and their families to visit the Wales Air Ambulance base where they are welcomed to a safe and comfortable room to discuss patient treatment and to offer aftercare support for those that need it.

“For the Charity to have included Owen and Sofia from the planning stages through to the official opening of the room, was certainly an exciting project for the children to have been involved in and they have created memories for life.

“We sincerely hope that the patient and family room inspired by our loss can bring comfort to many families for years to come.”

Support for the emergency responders has long been a passion for the Prince of Wales, having previously served as both an Air Ambulance and an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.

The royal visit also coincided with the announcement that Prince William would become a Royal Patron of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity – the first Welsh patronage for The Prince since receiving the title of Prince of Wales.