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Air ambulance patient takes up challenge to raise funds to keep lifesaving helicopters flying
A Rugby man who nearly died in a car crash has taken part in the local air ambulance charity’s #40for40 Challenge, raising almost £2,000 for the service he credits with saving his life.
Guy Watt (49) has been passionate about fundraising for the local air ambulance ever since the accident in 2014 when he suffered multiple life-threatening injuries when his car aquaplaned, rolled and hit a tree.
The dedicated crew got to Guy in just seven minutes and then began the process of saving his life – which is the reason why he has been extremely motivated to raise vital funds for the charity ever since.
Guy was recently at the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance base at Coventry Airport talking about his incredible survival story to local ITV and BBC reporters as the lifesaving service undertook their 40,000th mission. This is when he decided to undertake his latest fundraising challenge.
He explains:
“When I heard the Director of Operations, Richard Clayton, express that the charity had faced a projected loss of over £2million due to the pandemic, I knew I had to do something more.”
He decided to sign up to the charity’s #40for40 Challenge and run ten miles a day around Draycote Water over four days. Starting on the 2nd July, Guy found the challenge tough but was spurred on by his friend Steve Lamb running alongside him, and the generous donations that were coming in.
“The people’s support for me and the charity that is so close to my heart is humbling. The pain during the challenge was temporary, raising that money and seeing that figure grow was worth it,” he says.
With each air ambulance mission costing an average of £1,700, Guy has raised enough money to fund over four lifesaving missions since 2014 – and he refuses to stop there!
“You may see the helicopter fly overhead or the critical care car go past, and not give it another thought. But it’s going to save someone’s life, and one day maybe yours.
“The only way to make sure they can carry on delivering lifesaving critical care to patients like me is to keep supporting them, especially during a time they desperately need it,” he adds.
The charity’s Challenge Events Administrator, Laura Eaton, commented: “The charity is grateful to Guy for all of his support and fundraising throughout the years. To take on the #40for40 Challenge and raise so much in such a short time is remarkable.
“Guy has set up a JustGiving page, so if you’d like to support him for his 40 miles, visit here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/guy-watt”
