Wiltshire Air Ambulance team running 24 miles in 24 hours
They have already started the challenge
This morning (Friday 30th July), a team of pilots and paramedics from Wiltshire Air Ambulance embarked on a big fundraising challenge to help the charity.
They're running 24 miles in 24 hours across Wiltshire and Bath, the two areas the ambulance covers.
It's all to raise vital funds for bloods products used during emergencies.
Earlier this year, they managed to raise £7,800 for Blood Warmer accessories by completing a 1,191 mile cycle ride.
However, these Blood Warmers are being used more than ever, with usage of blood products up 66% during 2021 when compared with last year’s figures.
So more fundraising is needed to help Wiltshire Air Ambulance get hold of the life saving equipment.
The team is made up of pilot Elvis Costello and critical care paramedics Ben Abbott and Sophie Holt and they're hoping to raise £7,500.
So far, they have managed to raise around £2,600, but it's hoped people will keep donating while the challenge is ongoing.
They started at 8am this morning and hope to finish at the same time tomorrow.
Pilot Elvis said:
“It’s an idea we discussed in the crew room about maybe running a mile every hour at the airbase, but then it just developed from there.
“We discussed wanting other people to be involved and especially those who have supported our charity in the past and plan to do so in the future.
“The response we’ve had from local businesses and the public from across Wiltshire and Bath has been tremendous and we can’t thank them enough. We just can’t wait to get going now.”
You can donate to the team by going to their Just Giving page and follow their journey on Wiltshire Air Ambulance's Twitter.