Wales Air Ambulance was delighted to invite two Ceredigion dads to visit their headquarters after they completed a gruelling 103 mile ultra-marathon.
Leighton Daniel and Paul Davies from Aberaeron raised £4,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance and the same amount for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital.
Their castle to castle ultra marathon fundraiser saw them running from Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, to Edinburgh Castle.
The ultra marathon saw them tackle the 103 miles, with 40 hours of no sleep, 36 hours on the course, 29 hours of moving time and 202,000 steps, as well as a ‘tonne of cuppa-soup!’
Surprisingly Leighton had never done anything similar to this prior to his challenge and the two were only able to train together twice ahead of time.
Police Officer Leighton, said: “I’ve never even run a marathon before. But I’m glad it was for a good cause and it definitely gave us a push to get through it. Especially through the night shift, which was a particularly difficult one. It was really good and I feel good for doing it for a very good charity.”
Leighton, Paul and their families recently travelled to the Wales Air Ambulance headquarters in Dafen, Llanelli to present the charity with a cheque for £4,000.
Reflecting on why he wanted to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance, Leighton, said: “This service, alongside all we do with the police and the road traffic side of things, is completely valuable and it is needed every day, so any money we could raise for the service is fantastic.
“The challenge was very tough and mentally exhausting. I’m extremely happy to complete it.”
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Paul took on the challenge as a thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance medics who flew to his young son’s aid after he suffered serious burns in an accident.
Paul’s son Harri, 12, was 18-months-old when he suffered the accident, which resulted in hot liquid spilling on his arm and causing serious burns.
Paramedics attended Harri, and due to the severity of his injuries called for the assistance of the Wales Air Ambulance. Once stable, Harri was transported swiftly via helicopter to Morriston Hospital, a specialist hospital for his injuries.
During the base visit Harry was reunited with Critical Care Practitioner Ben Seabourne, who treated him when he was a baby.
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
The men would like to thank their wives, children, family, friends and everyone who donated to their fundraiser which raised an incredible £8,000.
Leighton said: “A massive shoutout to Paul, who has been the instigator behind all this. He organised 90% of it. I’m really proud of him and I’m really chuffed that he dug deep and has done really well.”
Elaine Orr, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for the area said: “Congratulations to Leighton and Paul for completing over 100 miles during their ultra marathon. We are extremely grateful to have received the £4,000 from them both during their base visit. It is incredible to hear that Leighton has not previously done anything similar to this challenge beforehand but took it in his stride and completed it.
“Leighton and Paul have raised an incredible £8,000 for two important Welsh charities and they should be so proud of themselves. It was lovely that Paul’s son Harry got to the meet the medic, Ben Seabourne, who treated him as a baby.
“Fundraisers, like this will enable us to be there for the people of Wales, wherever they are, when they need us most. Diolch yn fawr.”
