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Ambulance workers take on Tough Mudder challenge for charity

A TEAM of ambulance workers have completed the Tough Mudder challenge and raised an incredible £1,235 for a lifesaving charity.

The team of 17 took on the Tough Mudder – the World’s best run and mud assault course – in south Gloucestershire.

The race, well-known as one of the UK’s hardest, consisted of 13 obstacles in a 5km stretch.

The Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) team consisted of Chris Ballard, Teresa Moses, Shane Jones, Jack Pocock, Emily Jones, Steve Harris, Iestyn Harris, Dane Parry, Tiana Carter, Beth Clayton, Levi Gough, Jay Anderson, Niamh-Eleri Davies, Kerry Bowen, Frasier Mackie, Grace Morgan and Grace Atkinson.

Chris Ballard, Associate Practitioner, said: “The majority of the team had never taken part in one before – we didn’t really know what we were getting into for the most part. Our main goal was to try and get everyone across the finish line, and we did! 

“A lot of the obstacles required plenty of teamwork to get everyone across, including plenty of walls to climb over, and quite a few water-filled trenches to crawl out of. There were also plenty of individual tasks to do, such as an army crawl under barbed wire, a climb up a 10m high cargo net and back down again, and a slide into icy-cold water. 

“The final obstacle was a run through some electrified cables to the finish line, which we chose to do by linking up arms and running together. Crossing the finish line was a great feeling, and being able to do it as such a big team was even more rewarding. I think we’ve only just got over our injuries and bruises now though!”

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. 

As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care. 

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The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

This is the first time the team, which is based in Beacon House, Cwmbran, has raised funds for the Wales Air Ambulance. Although, many of the team have previously individually raised money for different charities.

Chris said: “We see just how important the Wales Air Ambulance is on a daily basis. Most of us that work on the road have seen the air ambulance and a few of us have ended up working with the medics at the scenes of emergencies.

“We really do look up to all of the medics and staff that work for the Wales Air Ambulance – it is clear to us that it is a service that Wales needs to have operating at its best, with as much up-to-date equipment as possible, so for us we decided that it should definitely be the charity we raise funds for.”

The WAST workers ‘feel really proud’ to have reached their fundraising target of £1,000. 

A delighted Chris said: “We had the intention of raising as much as we could, and while we had set a goal of £1,000, we didn’t expect to reach it. So, from everyone at Beacon House, we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated money to the fundraiser, and to everyone who helped share it around social media as much as possible!”

Abi Pearce, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance said: “It is wonderful to hear that our fellow emergency workers at Welsh Ambulance Service Trust wanted to raise funds for our lifesaving Charity. 

“The incredible partnership between the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust and Wales Air Ambulance delivers the best possible care for us all. The team who took on Tough Mudder know first-hand the hard work that both emergency services do daily. 

“The team of 17 did themselves proud by completing the UK’s hardest obstacle course for charity. They’ve raised a fantastic £1,235 for our 24/7 service. Thank you to everyone who supported them with their fundraising and on the day. We really appreciate your support of our all-Wales Charity.”

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