CEO of The Air Ambulance Service embarks on 197km trek

The CEO of The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS), Peta Wilkinson, is gearing up for an extraordinary challenge in honour of her late friend – whilst also raising vital funds for the lifesaving air ambulance charity.

The Air Ambulance Service operates the local air ambulance services for Warwickshire & Northamptonshire and Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland, as well as the national paediatric and neonatal transfer service, the Children’s Air Ambulance, covering the whole of the UK.

In a remarkable display of determination, Peta will undertake a 197km walk along the historic Camino De Santiago, spanning over eight days.

Peta’s journey begins as she flies to Porto on the 13 April, with the trek commencing on the 14 April. With average temperatures of 18/19 degrees Celsius, Peta will navigate the picturesque landscapes of the Camino, covering an average of 30km each day.

This isn’t the first time Peta has taken on such a monumental feat. Last year, she conquered the challenging terrain of the Sahara Desert and even completed the London Marathon, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to pushing her limits for a cause she believes in.

In preparation for the Camino, Peta has been logging an impressive 14,000 – 15,000 steps daily and incorporates long walks into her routine, ensuring she’s physically and mentally prepared for the journey ahead.

Despite already raising £1,760 of her £2,000 fundraising target, Peta is determined to surpass this goal, recognising the critical importance of raising funds to support the lifesaving efforts of The Air ambulance Service, the charity she leads.

“Although this is quite a feat, I love Spain and I am really looking forward to taking on this challenge, in memory of Nick, to support such an amazing organisation which saves lives on a daily basis,” says Peta.

“The charity receives no government or NHS funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations and support from our communities, and the amount I can raise will directly contribute to the vital resources needed to continue saving lives. I have seen first-hand the dedication, professionalism, and passion of the frontline teams who work in the delivery of our vital service – so any further support and donations towards my challenge will be hugely appreciated,” she adds.

Peta’s endeavour serves as a powerful reminder of the impact individuals can make when they take on a challenge to support a worthy cause. As she embarks on this journey, The Air Ambulance Service encourages everyone to rally behind Peta and contribute to her fundraising efforts.

For more information on how to support Peta and donate to this worthy cause, please click here.

For anyone inspired by Peta’s challenge, please look at the charity’s 2024 challenge events, here.