Gavin ‘The Bull’ Bilton names lifesaving charity as official partner after dramatic motorcycle crash
STRONGMAN champion Gavin ‘The Bull’ Bilton has announced Wales Air Ambulance as his official charity partner for 2026/27 after the lifesaving service helped save his father’s life following a serious road traffic collision.
The 37-year-old, from Caerphilly, said the decision was deeply personal after his father, Berwyn, suffered life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle crash in July 2023.
Bilton, a two-time UK’s Strongest Man winner, is one of Britain’s best-known competitors in the sport, renowned for his larger-than-life personality and imposing 6ft 6in, 174kg frame.
Despite his success, he said the experience brought home how quickly life can change.
“I am a deeply patriotic Welshman, proud of where I come from and grateful for the opportunities that enable me to do something I love,” he said.
“But I am equally aware how quickly life can change, through unexpected events and accidents.”
Devastating phone call
Bilton had travelled to London ahead of the Giants Live Strongman Classic at the Royal Albert Hall when he received repeated missed calls from his mother.
“I had left my phone in the hotel room and had a lot of missed calls from my mum,” he recalled.
“Initially I thought she was ringing to see how I was feeling, as she normally would. But when she continued to ring Gemma, we knew something was wrong.”
His mother told him his father had been involved in a collision between two motorcycles and a car.
Emergency crews, including the Wales Air Ambulance and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, arrived within minutes and provided advanced critical care at the roadside.
Berwyn required a general anaesthetic at the scene before being transferred directly to a major trauma centre. He suffered a brain bleed as well as serious injuries to his hands and feet and was admitted to intensive care.
‘We owe them everything’
Shaking his head as he reflected on the incident, Bilton said: “I do not know how he survived. I think someone must have been looking out for him that day because all the odds should have been against him.
“But his stubbornness and resilience got him through.”
After spending several days in a coma at the University Hospital of Wales, Berwyn was later transferred to Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr for rehabilitation.
“My dad spent a long time in hospital; he was in an awful lot of pain and has been left with a brain injury,” Bilton said.
“The accident has definitely taken its toll on him, but we owe Wales Air Ambulance everything. If it wasn’t for the service, he would not be here today.”
Lifesaving service relies on donations
The consultant-led Wales Air Ambulance service delivers hospital-level emergency treatment at the scene of incidents across Wales before transferring patients to the most appropriate specialist hospital when needed.
The charity must raise around £13 million every year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Bilton and his family have since visited the charity’s Cardiff heliport, where they met the pilot involved in his father’s rescue.
“It feels quite emotional thinking about it,” he said.
“When you see the helicopter in the sky you think it’s going to be big, but when you get up close it’s tiny. It’s incredible to think it is an emergency room and has such a vital impact on patient outcomes.”
Raising awareness
Bilton has pledged to use his profile to raise funds and awareness for the charity throughout 2026 and 2027.
“The Wales Air Ambulance is such an important service and helps those facing the direst situations,” he said.
“I am proud to support the charity and will be doing all I can to raise awareness and funds.
“We have many events coming up and I have extended an invitation to Wales Air Ambulance to have representatives there on the day.”
Among the events are Caerphilly’s Strongest Man on July 19 at Area 51 Gym in Bedwas and the Official Wales Strongest Man competition on October 11 at the Vale Arena.
Christian Sullivan, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, welcomed the partnership.
He said: “We are so grateful that Gavin is using his incredible platform to help elevate the work of our lifesaving service during our 25th anniversary year.
“Wales Air Ambulance has attended more than 57,000 patients since its first flight in 2001, including Gavin’s father Berwyn.
“We could not do what we do without the help of our incredible fundraisers. Every pound raised by strongman supporters in Wales will make a lifesaving difference. Diolch yn fawr!”
