Two members of the team at Hull bus operator, Stagecoach East Midlands, have handed over a cheque for nearly £3,000, to Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, thanks to their latest, remarkable charity fund-raising effort.
Dave McMullan and Kim Whitehead – collectively known as the Stagecoach Strollers – raised £2,703 by completing the North Yorkshire Ultra, an endurance challenge that required them to walk from 100km from Scarborough to Whitby and back in 24 hours.
Together with Stagecoach East Midlands’ Managing Director, Matt Cranwell, they handed over the cheque to Lucy Atkinson, the Air Ambulance’s Charity Coordinator.
The challenge was just the latest to be completed by Dave and Kim. Over a number of years, including an annual cricket match, the pair have raised over £35,000 for local charities. Last year, they raised £2,278 for the Stroke Association after overcoming the Lake District Ultra Challenge.
Dave said: “We have been doing these crazy challenges for many years now, but we are always proud to be able to support wonderful local charities. Together with the backing of our friends, families and colleagues at Stagecoach, it is the desire to help people, who need it, that drives us to keep going. We are now even starting to think about next year’s charity challenge!”
The air ambulance’s doctors and paramedics carry life-saving equipment on board helicopters and critical-care cars, which means that they can take an emergency department directly to the scene of the most serious incidents in the region. Their crews work with the ambulance service, first responders, Police, Fire and Rescue, and other emergency services, such as HM Coastguard.
Matt added: “Dave and Kim continue to achieve something that is highly impressive – everyone at Stagecoach East Midlands is extremely proud of their achievements. Each year, these events take a huge amount of training, time and commitment, with all funds raised going to the people and places that need it.”
To find out more about the work done by Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, see www.ambucopter.org.uk.