[caption id="attachment_4307" align="aligncenter" width="500"] PROVEN NEED: A WAA helicopter can make a vital difference in rural locations.[/caption]

THE total amount - estimated to be a five-figure sum - raised by FUW members and supporters for president Gareth Vaughan's Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) chosen charity will be revealed on the union's stand at this month's Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival (May 21 and 22).

Mr Vaughan said: "The air ambulance service is a most appropriate and fully deserving cause for a national organisation representing rural areas.

"It is a registered charity, wholly dependent on public donations. The annual cost of sustaining their three air bases, which cover the whole of Wales from Caernarfon, Welshpool and Swansea airports, is over £5m and only through continued public support are they able to meet these targets.

"Due to Wales' widely scattered population and diverse landscape, there is a proven need for their helicopters to be fully operational throughout the year.

"I am well aware the Air Ambulance has been a lifesaver time and time again in all parts of rural Wales and as a representative of the farming industry I and my fellow FUW officials are proud to be associated with such a vital service."

Around half of the total sum to be handed over was raised at a promise auction arranged by deputy president Emyr Jones on his farm at Rhiwaedog, Rhosygwaliau, near Bala, which included a hog roast and entertainment. Large sums were also raised by the union's Caernarfonshire branch which held farmhouse breakfasts on members' farms throughout the county.

Mr Jones praised all those who assisted in raising such a large sum of money at his farm's event for such a worthwhile cause.

"Its success was the result of kind assistance and close co-operation of many individuals, which was very much appreciated," he said.

WAA raises all the funds it requires for the day-to-day running of missions, with each mission on average costing £1,200.

WAA is funded by the people of Wales, relying on the public support to help keep them flying. The charity does not receive direct funding from the government and because they are classed as an emergency service they also fail to qualify for National Lottery funding.

The money is therefore raised through charitable donations, fundraising events and membership of WAA's own lifesaving lottery.

Owing to the diversity of the landscape in Wales, WAA's "helimed" service is vital for reaching remote countryside and busy towns and cities when time really matters. From mountain tops to back gardens, the helicopters can be anywhere in Wales within just 20 minutes.

In heavily congested urban areas, the ability to land within close proximity of the patient has proved critical in response to road traffic accidents. Equally, a helicopter can make a vital difference in rural locations, saving valuable time in areas where a land ambulance simply cannot reach.

There are two advanced life support paramedics on each aircraft trained in the latest techniques in pre-hospital emergency care ensure the patient receives the most effective treatment for his or her condition.

It is widely believed that a patient's chances of survival and early recovery are significantly increased if they receive the right care within the first hour, otherwise known as the "Golden Hour".

The Farmers' Union of Wales Anglesey county branch is holding a National Assembly election hustings meeting next Wednesday April 20 at Tafarn Y Rhos, Rhostrehwfa, Llangefni (7.30pm).

Attending will be Paul Williams (Conservative), Joe Lock (Labour), Ieuan Wyn Jones (Plaid Cymru) and Rhys Taylor (Liberal Democrats).

Farmers' Union of Wales officials have organised political forums in Ceredigion and Denbighshire later this month in the lead up to the National Assembly elections on May 5.

Hustings will take place at Llannefydd Village Hall on Tuesday April 19 at 7.30pm to enable local farmers to hear candidates for the Aberconwy Constituency.

Antoinette Sandbach (Conservative), Eifion Lloyd Jones (Plaid Cymru) and Brian Cossey (Liberal Democrats) have already confirmed their intention to attend.

The union's Ceredigion county branch office has arranged a meeting for Wednesday April 27 at 8pm at Aberaeron Rugby Club.

Candidates who have already confirmed they are able to attend are Elin Jones (Plaid), Elizabeth Evans (Lib Dems), Luke Evetts (Con) and Chris Simpson (Green).

The Farmers' Union of Wales today advised Welsh businesses to contact the Police if they receive menacing telephone calls from anti badger-cull organisations or individuals.

A number of businesses around Wales have been contacted in the past few days and asked for details of their policy in terms of the proposed badger cull in north Pembrokeshire, and some have complained that the calls have been quite threatening and left some individuals quite shaken.

"These individuals or groups have no right to intimidate people in this way, and if people feel they have been harassed they should call the Police on the non-emergency 101 number," said FUW president Gareth Vaughan.

"Businesses should not be bullied into holding an opinion on something when they have every right to stay neutral or keep their views private.

"Attempting to bully people into holding or revealing their opinions is something which should be stood up to. It is the type of tactic used in banana republics and there is no place for this type of threatening behaviour in our democratic society.

"People have every right to approve of, oppose or remain neutral on the badger culling issue while keeping their views private.

"Given the motives behind these calls, they are no different from trying to intimidate people into revealing who they intend to vote for in an election in order to try and sway the democratic process."

Mr Vaughan also urged people to stand strong in the face of such cowardly intimidation. "No one should bow to harassment by a small number of individuals.

"Whatever individual views people hold, the people of Wales should stand up to this type of tactic and show that they will not be bullied."

The Police have advised anyone who receives such calls to make a record of as many details as possible, including the time at which the call was made, the name of the individual who called them, and the number from which the call was made - which can be obtained by dialling 1471.

This information can then be provided in confidence to the Police by dialling 101 from any landline or mobile telephone.