SEA ADVENTURER who rowed 3,000 miles across Atlantic in aid of lifesaving service recognised at London award event!
An adventurer who took on the World’s Toughest Row in aid of Wales Air Ambulance has been recognised at a special award ceremony in London.
49-year-old Ian Baylis, from Aberdyfi was among 42 rowers who were celebrated at the World’s Toughest Row event at the Mayfair Hotel, London.
Ian received a Certificate of Achievement, after completing a solo 3,000-mile challenge from San Sebastian de la Gomera, Canary Islands to Antigua in 42 days.
He said: “Attending the Awards Ceremony was a very special moment. It was incredible to stand alongside so many of the rowers who had faced the same challenge and realise what we had all achieved.
“Crossing an ocean under your own power is something that changes you forever, something that I hope every other rower standing on that stage will take strength from through the rest of their lives, whatever challenges are thrown at them.
“Most of all, it was an opportunity to reflect on why I took on the challenge in the first place. The support I received for Wales Air Ambulance was simply overwhelming.
“Every donation, message and word of encouragement helped make the hardest days worthwhile, and I am enormously grateful to everyone who supported the journey.”
The father of two, unplugged himself from the outside world during his journey, only using his mobile to record footage and images of his trip, so his wife Nia could share with his supporters. He is yet to watch any of the video he filmed.
Nia said: “It was amazing to share Ian’s journey with supporters throughout the challenge. It’s very humbling to witness how they get behind you and it still blows me away at how generous they are.”
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.
Ian has helped raise almost £30k for Wales Air Ambulance, the equivalent to the cost of 7 lifesaving helicopter missions.
He said: “The air ambulance is a charity most people can relate to! Especially in the more rural parts like our village.
“I am so happy that we raised above the target I had set, it feels really good to know that the challenge will make a lifesaving difference.”
The Baylis’ are already set on returning to San Sebastian de la Gomera for this year’s World’s Toughest Row, but this time as spectators.
Nia said: “We are now part of a large rowing family, so it will be great to wave off the teams and wish them well!
“The first time we went I was doing a fact find, to see what to expect. Then the year I went it felt like I was standing on a cliff edge, all the nerves before setting off. With Ian’s challenge it was different again, all the anticipation.
“So, it will be nice to return without the weight of the world on our shoulders. We can get caught up in the crowds and just enjoy the experience.”
