The Wales Air Ambulance has received a massive lift with the news Valero’s Pembroke Refinery has donated £100,000 to the lifesaving charity.

Wales Air Ambulance is the elected charity of the year by employees and contractors and the Valero team has spent 2011 organising a host of fundraising events for the three red helicopters.

Valero chairman, CEO and president Bill Klesse presented the cheque to Wales Air Ambulance chief executive Angela Hughes on his first trip to the Pembroke refinery.

The initial donation was for £15,000, but Mr Klesse made a surprise pledge to increase the total to £100,000.

Jane James, policy, government and public affairs manager at the refinery, said: “This is a fantastic surprise for all of us but Mr Klesse’s generosity reflects Valero’s commitment to support the communities in which it operates. The company has a strong tradition of working with and fundraising for charities in America and we will continue that tradition with Valero in Pembroke.”

Wales Air Ambulance chief executive Angela Hughes added: “This is an absolutely wonderful donation. We are incredibly grateful to the Valero staff for choosing to support Wales Air Ambulance this year and for the staggering pledge of £100,000,” she said.

Ms Hughes added: “This donation will make a big difference to the charity and will help to save many lives in the future.”