A former mountain rescue team member has set himself the challenge of trekking 9 days in the Himalayas to raise awareness of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.
John Swinburne, who has lived in north Wales for 35 years, is aiming to trek to the base camp of Annapurna 1, which is the 10th highest mountain in the world.
John said: “At 4100 metres this is situated in a huge glacial basin called The Sanctuary and surrounded by towering peaks of the Annapurna Massif. I’ll be trekking alone for about 6hrs a day.
“I’ve been to the Himalayas before and to this region with my wife 2 years ago. I knew then I had to go back and do the Annapurna base camp and Sanctuary trek.”
John, who lives in Llanarmon Yn Ial, Denbighshire, will fly to Nepal next month to take on the challenge.
John has been walking, climbing and mountaineering in the UK and abroad for most of his life. He was a member of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team and the North East Wales Search and Rescue team.
Reflecting on why the Charity was chosen, John, who turned 70 at the weekend, said: “As a former mountain rescue team member in Snowdonia many years ago, I was fortunate to work with helicopters. I understand them and respect their value. My background lead me to the Wales Air Ambulance, due to the fact it is there for us all.”
John used to be a keen motorcyclist who completed a number of cycle trips in the UK, France and Spain.
He said: “I was involved in an accident where my BMW motorbike was written off and I had 3 months off work. Sadly I read all too often that the Wales Air Ambulance is helping those same riders who may not be quite as fortunate as me.”
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 critical care.
Debra Sima, North Wales Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance said: “John has been training well prior to his challenge and we wish him well with his solo trek in the Himalayas. Good luck to John on his nine day challenge of trekking to Annapurna Base Camp.
“Through John’s previous work and as a motorcyclist he knows how important the Wales Air Ambulance is for the people of Wales. We are so grateful to be the beneficiary of this epic trek.
“Wales Air Ambulance relies on the generosity of our fundraisers to raise the £11.2 million every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road.
“John has already raised £500 of his £3,000 target and we hope his friends and family show their support in helping him reach his total. Every pound raised for the Charity really makes a difference and helps save lives across Wales. Thank you for supporting the Wales Air Ambulance.”
You can follow John’s challenge on Instagram: johnsswin
You can also show your support to John by donating to his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/page/john-swinburne-1
