Lincolnshire local Leigh Robinson will take on the Peak District Ultra Challenge to raise funds to support the National Children’s Air Ambulance (NCAA).
The Peak District Ultra Challenge 100km will take place on 4 July 2026 at Bakewell basecamp with the route taking on a tough and varied figure of eight through Derbyshire’s finest scenery and finishing back at Bakewell basecamp.
Leigh Robinson works at Retford Gamston Airport, one of the airbases where the National Children’s Air Ambulance operate from.
“Having worked at the airport for twenty years I have seen the helicopter regularly flying out on missions since 2023. Every mission means a family is facing one of the most frightening moments of their lives,” said Leigh.
“When the aircraft takes off it is because a critically ill baby or child urgently needs specialist hospital care. Seeing this service operate up close has shown me just how vital it is to many families,” he added.
The National Children’s Air Ambulance is a UK-wide service dedicated to transferring critically ill babies and children between hospitals — bringing expert care closer, when every moment matters.
The helicopters are flying intensive care units: purpose-built, clinically equipped, and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
Working in partnership with 11 NHS paediatric retrieval teams across the UK, they combine their specialist expertise with the charity’s aircraft to safely transfer young patients to the care they need.
“I’m looking forward to taking on this challenge to raise vital funds to help the charity complete more lifesaving missions. When the going gets tough I will remember the reason I’m taking on this challenge,” expressed Leigh Robinson.
Morgan Turnbull, Junior Events Manager for the charity said:
“We would like to say thank you to Leigh for taking on this enormous challenge to raise funds to support our lifesaving children’s charity.”
“We receive no government or National Lottery funding for our missions and rely on the generous donations from the local community to keeps our helicopters flying,” she added.
To support Leigh with his Peak District Ultra Challenge please visit: www.justgiving.com/page/leigh-robinson
To support the charity this year, check out the range of events you can take part in to support the lifesaving charity: https://events.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/
