Merched Y Wawr, a national organisation that organises social events in Welsh, collected the amount, which is equivalent to eight lifesaving missions.
The funds were raised during Geunor Roberts’s term as national president, which ended in August 2025, after she named the air ambulance service as the charity partner.
Ms Roberts was inspired to support the charity after witnessing clinicians attend an incident opposite her home five years ago.
She said: “Mountain bikers from Corris near Machynlleth were filming on a very steep, narrow crag called Tap Nyth yr Eryr, near Bwlch y Groes, Llanymawddwy.
“One of them had a dreadful fall in an inaccessible place.
“A normal road ambulance couldn’t reach him, and they wouldn’t have been able to stretcher him out either.
“We watched in awe as the air ambulance came to his assistance and gave emergency medical care at the scene.”
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Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that takes hospital-standard treatments to patients and, if required, transfers them directly to the most appropriate hospital.
It relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
When Ms Roberts was appointed national president, she called on her members to help raise funds for the charity.
She was overwhelmed by the “generosity,” with “thousands of items” donated and sold on stalls at the Eisteddfodau, agricultural shows, and car boot sales.
She said: “Many clubs and branches of Merched y Wawr have contributed by holding their own events to raise money.
“Members in Ceredigion raised a substantial sum with an evening of styling curly hair and a very successful carol service was held in Carmarthen.”
Merched Y Wawr promotes women’s issues and supports culture, education, and the arts in Wales.
Phae Jones, director of income generation at Wales Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to extend our gratitude to all the members of Merched Y Wawr for their incredible support during 2023/25.
“The Wales Air Ambulance family has been deeply moved by their mission to raise as much as they can for our Charity.
“Just over £26,000 is an incredible amount and will help save lives.
“To put that into context, the amount is equivalent to covering the cost of eight lifesaving missions.
“Charity partnerships are key to our survival; they ensure we can continue to be there for patients whenever and wherever they need us.”