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Schoolboy ran 25 miles in a month for charity

Jake Davies

A RHONDDA Cynon Taf schoolboy was inspired to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance after learning about the work of the lifesaving charity in school.

Jake Davies, 7, from Trecynon set himself the challenge to run 25 miles throughout February which raised £304 for charity.

Proud mum Hayley said: “Jake was learning about the emergency services in school last year, and he had to pick one to complete his homework, so he decided the Welsh Air Ambulance. 

“I was out shopping, and I signed up to sponsor the charity and Jake was most impressed as he knows the Welsh Air Ambulance rely on donations.  He decided he wanted to raise money and we hadn’t long taken up running so it seemed a great opportunity.”

In January Jake, who was accompanied by his mum throughout the challenge, completed the ‘race at your pace’ challenge where he ran 15 miles to gain a medal. Jake decided to push himself to take on the 25 miles running challenge in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance.

This was Jake’s first-ever fundraiser and to get his miles in he entered park runs on Saturdays, as well as running after school and the weekends.

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The Aberdare Park Primary School pupil’s family and friends have been really supportive of his fundraiser, especially his big brother Harvey, 12, aunty Tilly, 9, and his grandparents.

Hayley added: “We are all so proud of him and his determination to make sure he completed it. The challenge got quite hard on our last three runs as it was the week after storm Eunice, so the winds were out of this world. It’s been a lovely bonding time for myself and Jake too.

“His dad and I have never been more proud of him. He’s such a kind-hearted little boy who loves playing with his friends and gaming, but something he’s learned in school has taken him to raise a lot of money and he’s very proud of himself for it.” 

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.

Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance’s community fundraiser, said: “It is so wonderful to hear that Jake decided to raise funds for our lifesaving charity after learning about the emergency services in school. He set himself a huge challenge, at such a young age, and despite the storms and horrible weather he was determined to complete his fundraiser. Thank you so much Jake, the £304 you’ve raised will help the Wales Air Ambulance be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. You should be so proud of yourself because we are certainly proud of you!”

Jake is ‘over the moon’ to have raised more than his fundraising target of £100 and would like to thank all his ‘fans’ for their sponsorship and support.

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.

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