A Wales Air Ambulance medic will swap his stethoscope for his running shoes to raise funds for the charity he works alongside.
Dr Stuart Gill will join over 27,000 runners this weekend to take part in the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Stuart, who is the consultant lead for Wales Air Ambulance in Mid Wales, knows first-hand how important the service is to the people of Wales.
He said: “I’ve done the Cardiff Half Marathon a couple of times before. I felt it was time to do it for a good cause and working alongside Wales Air Ambulance, it just felt right.
“I’m looking forward to the event, and it is always an amazing atmosphere.”
Stuart has fitted his training around a busy family life and his work as a consultant anaesthetist and clinical lead for major trauma at Hywel Dda University Health Board.
He said: “The last couple of weeks of training have gone pretty well, so I’m hoping it shouldn’t be too painful!”
He is no stranger to taking on a challenge. During the past six years, he has run the Cardiff Half Marathon twice, taken part in the Carten bike ride twice, and completed the Great Welsh Half Marathon in Pembrey in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance and 2 Wish charities.
The Cardiff Half Marathon, which is one of Europe’s largest half marathons, will take place on Sunday 4 October 2026.
Stuart set himself a fundraising target of £500 but has already smashed it, raising an incredible £685.
He is grateful to everyone who has donated to his fundraiser. He said: “I’m very pleased with the fundraising progress and very thankful to all the friends, family and colleagues who have contributed.”
“Fingers crossed it’s decent weather on the day, and I can do the sponsorship justice with a decent time!”
Stuart is part of the consultant-led Wales Air Ambulance service , 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 lifesaving care.
Dr Sue Barnes, Chief Executive of Wales Air Ambulance, said: “We cannot thank Stuart enough. As one of our doctors, he knows first-hand how important the service is to the whole of Wales. He already makes a major contribution to Wales Air Ambulance, using his incredible skills and knowledge to give critically ill or injured patients across the country the best possible chance of survival and recovery.”
“We’re extremely grateful that Stuart has made time in his busy schedule to train for the Cardiff Half Marathon and raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
“Fundraisers like Stuart will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. Thank you to everyone who has shown their support for Stuart, and we wish him well for Sunday.”
There’s still time to support Stuart by donating to his fundraising page:
https://cardiffhalf26.enthuse.com/pf/stuart-gill
