A WOMAN who has dedicated the last six years to fundraising for charities in Bala has presented the ambulance service with £400 in recognition of its vital support for her son.

Dot Yates Shelley, from Maes-y-Bronydd, Bala, started fundraising for her son’s school, Ysgol Beuno Sant, in 2012.

The latest cheque was handed to representatives of Bala Ambulance and Bala first responders.

Ms Shelley said: “I was planning to finish last year but decided I should carry on as there are more charities I want to donate to.

“The Bala ambulance and Bala first responders are included in those charities because they have been instrumental in supporting my son over the years, who has been suffering from pneumonia.

“My son had a collapsed lung and the Bala ambulance and first responders were here every week – at one point every day – providing him with assistance.

“I honestly don’t know what we would have done without them.”

Good causes helped by Ms Shelley, who is retired, include Ysgol y Berwyn, Ysgol Beuno Sant, Ysgol Bro Tegid, Ysgol Meithrin nursery, the NSPCC, Nightingale House Hospice, Race for Life, the air ambulance, Castle Street playground, Help Betsi Walk and Bala Health Centre.

Ms Shelley raised the money for the ambulance service, along with other worthy causes, by holding a lottery-style competition every month in which nearly 50 people contribute £1 for a chance to win a prize.

Ms Shelley continued: “I am extremely grateful for all the donations and the generosity of the people and businesses in the area that make these donations possible.”

Ms Shelley plans to run a stall and tombola at Bala Rotary Club’s summer fair in August in aid of Wrexham Maelor Hospital and children's hospice charity Hope House.