Rugby player Jess Fletcher will swap the rugby pitch to run through the streets of Cardiff to give back to the service that was there for her family when they needed it most.
Jess, who is Co-Captain of Bletchley RUFC Women’s team in Milton Keynes, will run the 13.1 miles of the Cardiff Half Marathon, in memory of her father Dene.
Determined Jess is taking on the challenge after the Wales Air Ambulance was called out to her dad’s aid after Dene suffered a cardiac arrest.
Dene and his wife were on holiday in Llandrindod Wells, when he became ill.
Due to the swift response and pre-hospital care that Dene received he was given the best possible chance, but despite the medics’ efforts Dene sadly passed away a week later.
Now, Jess is determined to give something back to the service that was there when her family needed it most. She will take to the streets of Cardiff with thousands of runners on Sunday 5 October.
After completing her last half marathon, Jess promised herself she’d never run again. But for the Wales Air Ambulance, she’s bringing her running shoes out of retirement.
Jess said “I’m running to honour my dad and to say thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance for the amazing care they gave him. If I can raise funds to help them continue their work and save more lives, then every step will be worth it.”
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 Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 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 lifesaving care.
Jess has already smashed her £1,000 fundraising target for the all-Wales Charity, so far she has raised £1,955.
Kate Thomas, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager for Mid Wales, said: “It is heartwarming to hear that Jess wanted to raise funds in memory of her father, Dene. Jess and her family know firsthand how important our service is across Wales and we really appreciate the fact she wanted to fundraise for us.
“Fundraisers like Jess’ will help us to keep our helicopters flying and our rapid response vehicles on the road.
“Jess has already nearly doubled her fundraising target, which is incredible. Good luck to Jess with the upcoming Cardiff Half Marathon.”
You can show your support to Jess by donating to her fundraising page www.justgiving.com/page/jess-fletcher-1
