Norfolk woman's marathon effort raises thousands of pounds for East Anglian Air Ambulance
The charity saved her life nine years ago
A Norfolk woman and NFU county adviser has thanked the medical charity which saved her life after completing the London marathon and raising more than £4,500.
Flora Archer decided to take on the marathon, held last weekend, in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance after the helicopter team saved her life when she fell and banged her head on a kitchen unit at her home in Scarning, near Dereham.
After she collapsed at home, she was losing oxygen to her brain and air ambulance medics arrived with minutes to spare, to take control of her breathing and save her life.
She then went by land ambulance to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further treatment.
Nine years on, Miss Archer took to London’s streets to complete the 26.2-mile course in just four hours and 16 minutes and she paid tribute to the people who saved her after she crossed the finish line.
"The London Marathon experience was just outstanding"
Miss Archer, who works for the NFU as Norfolk County Adviser, said proceeds from her run will help the charity continue its work protecting farmers and people in rural communities across East Anglia: “I raised more than £4,500 which is incredible and I’m just very grateful to all who took the time to support me as this charity will always have a special place in my heart.
“The London Marathon experience was just outstanding, the crowds and fellow runners were so supportive and it was almost a surreal experience being there.
“Knowing I was running for such a great cause just kept me going.
“I started off slowly and got to mile 20 at Canary Wharf and felt alright so I just really pushed on.
“All that training in the wind, rain and cold in the great Norfolk countryside really paid off and I was actually able to speed up towards the finish!”
Following the marathon, she paid tribute to the paramedics for the medical attention she received: “I would like to thank them all again and I know that many others in the farming and rural community have been saved by them, which is why it was so important to raise funds."