Helimed Hikers to take on Peak District Ultra Challenge to raise funds to support their charity’s lifesaving missions

A team of Helimed Hikers will be taking on the Peak District Ultra Challenge to raise funds to support their charity’s lifesaving missions – The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS).

The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) operates the local Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA), Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) and national Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA).

On 28 – 29 June 2025 a team of six dedicated frontline medical crew members will be lacing up their walking boots to take on this monumental continuous 100km challenge which takes a tough & varied figure of 8 route through the north and south of Derbyshire’s finest scenery.

The Peak District Ultra Challenge starts and finishes at the base camp hub in Bakewell and the team will be attempting to complete this within thirty-six hours.

The Helimed Hikers taking on this gruelling challenge will be Dr Leon Roberts MBE, HEMS Critical Care Paramedic and Research & Clinical Audit Lead Stuart Rose, HEMS Critical Care Paramedic Karl Bexon, HEMS Critical Care Paramedic Keith Rutherford, Dr Scott Castell and Dr James Nayyar.

They are attempting to raise vital funds to support the charity with further lifesaving missions in Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and further afield.

Their fundraising is going well so far, with them raising £7,672, just shy of their £8,000 target – helping to make more than three lifesaving missions possible.

HEMS Critical Care Paramedic Karl Bexon said:

“Our fundraising has gone well so far, and I have received support from family, friends, colleagues and the local community where I live.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support everyone has shown, and we are looking forward to completing the challenge and helping the charity to stay operational 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Within minutes, WNAA & DLRAA’s critical care crews can be on the ground delivering pre-hospital emergency care and giving patients the very best chance of survival – this vital service relies entirely on donations to raise the £2,300 needed for each lifesaving mission, as the charity receives no government or National Lottery funding.

“I have worked for the lifesaving charity for nearly thirteen years and have experienced first-hand the difference the team makes in our community. The dedicated team deliver on a 24/7 basis, and I am looking forward to taking on the 100km challenge with other members of the Helimed Hikers!” said Dr Leon Roberts MBE.

The Helimed Hikers will have various food and rest stops along the way and are encouraging people to support them by cheering them on and donating to their page: https://events.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/fundraisers/HelimedHikers

Morgan Turnbull, Junior Events Manager for the charity said:

“We would like to say good luck and a huge thank you to the Helimed Hikers for helping to raise funds to support our charity with further lifesaving missions.”

“They show their dedication to the service day in and day out and we couldn’t be prouder of them for taking on this challenge,” she added.

To find out more about the Ultra Challenges you can take on to support the charity, please visit: https://events.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/event/ultra-challenges-2025-hems/home

For more information on the charity, or to show your support please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.