A Cardiff Doctor swapped his stethoscope for his running trainers as he took on a marathon in Italy.
Dr Samir Sholapurkar ran the marathon in Bologna, Italy in memory of his friend and colleague Lowrie Edwards, who passed away in November.
Samir, 31, wanted to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance due to the ‘amazing work’ the charity does saving lives across Wales. The cause was also close of the heart of Lowrie and her family.
Samir, who is a doctor at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, has previously run a half marathon over ten years ago. Despite having a long break from running and doubling his miles he was determined to finish the marathon.
Reflecting on his achievement of running 26.2 miles, the doctor said: “I planned to do my first marathon in Italy in the hope that the running conditions would be favourable. The marathon was definitely a challenge for me, but I enjoyed the training process, and I am grateful that I was able to make it round despite some frustrating physical injuries.
“Hopefully I’ll find another opportunity not too far into the future to do another one and aim for a speedier time. I ran a half-marathon over 10 years ago, so looking back on it this was a reintroduction to a sport at the deeper end should we say!”
He raised an incredible £1,037 for the all-Wales Charity after successfully completing the physical and mental challenge of the marathon.
He said: “I’ll be eternally grateful for all the support I received for undertaking this event; raising this money for a local charity that is dear to the hearts of my friend Lowrie Edwards, who sadly passed away in the Autumn last year, and her family was an honour for me.”
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 Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
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 critical care.
Following his successful fundraising for the Wales Air Ambulance Dr Sholapurkar was invited to the Charity’s Cardiff heliport where he presented the crew with the £1,037.
Samir, said: “It was a privilege and great fun to meet some of the team at the helicopter base and to learn a bit more about the work that the Wales Air Ambulance do for people across the country.”
Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager said: “A huge thank you to Samir for running a marathon for our Charity. It was touching to hear that Samir raised the funds in memory of his friend and former colleague Lowrie Edwards.
“Despite the fact it was over 10 years ago that Samir ran a half marathon, he set himself the huge challenge of running double that distance to complete a marathon, which is incredible.
“Samir has raised a wonderful £1,037 for our all-Wales Charity. He should be very proud of completing a marathon, which most people would shy away from.
“Every pound that was raised will make a lifesaving difference. Thank you so much!”
