The North West Air Ambulance Charity (NWAA) is thanking a group of intrepid fundraisers from Shield Safety Group, a Manchester-based Food, Fire and Health & Safety consultancy, and software provider, for their p
The team has taken on ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, aiming to collectively walk, run or cycle the circumference of the earth – that’s 40,075 kilometres in just 80 days. The group were sure to continue the challenge in full compliance with current COVID-19 safety rules around outdoor exercising.
The team decided to raise funds for NWAA after one of the Group’s husbands was involved in a horrific accident in September 2018 that left him fighting for his life. Jane Cull, Business Change Project Manager at Shield Safety saw her husband, Sean battle for his life after a bike accident while out for a ride in the countryside in Bardsea. NWAA was called to the scene to stabilise Sean and transport him to Royal Preston Hospital. Upon arrival, scans revealed he was suffering from a significant brain haemorrhage, and needed to undergo emergency surgery.
Two years later Sean has now made a full recovery, with Jane nominating the charity that saved him for Shield Safety’s fundraising efforts. So far, the team has raised £1140 through the Around The World challenge, racking up the kilometres right across Greater Manchester.
NWAA is entirely charity funded, relying on generous donations, volunteers, and fundraisers to remain operational. It takes over £9.5 million a year to fund the work of its highly skilled HEMS paramedics, doctors and pilots, who attend to cases of serious illness and traumatic injury 365 days a year. In 2020, the charity attended 2,570 missions in total, including 1,007 in Greater Manchester.
Jane said: “My family has seen first-hand just how important this charity is, and I was keen to do something to say thank you for saving Sean. Without their speedy response and care, I dread to think what could have happened. We are so grateful for the air ambulance crew, especially given the last year.
“My company is based in Manchester, and it’s important to us to give back to local causes. It’s been heart-warming to see so many people from different departments getting involved, dusting off their walking boots, trainers and bikes to participate. While it’s been hard work, I’m so proud of the team at Shield Safety Group, and hope our contribution will make a real difference to the charity.”
Victoria Jones, regional fundraiser for Manchester at the North West Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Our supporters play such an important role to our charity, and without them, we wouldn’t be able to be there for people like Sean, every day. The Around the World challenge has been incredible and hats off to everyone involved for battling on, even in the chilly weather.
“In situations like Sean’s, where people get into difficulty in remote locations, our service can make an enormous difference in ensuring that the patient receives care by the roadside and it can make a huge difference to their survival. We are so grateful that Shield Safety Group chose us as their charity and would like to congratulate everyone who took part for their brilliant achievement!”
To find out more about fundraising for the North West Air Ambulance Charity, please visit nwaa.
