Nottinghamshire girl takes on triathlon to help critically ill children.

A determined seven-year-old girl from Mansfield Woodhouse has completed her very own triathlon challenge in a bid to raise funds for the Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA).

The Children’s Air Ambulance is an inter-hospital transfer service flying critically ill babies and children from one hospital to another for specialist care. The charity relies on public donations from fundraisers – such as young Erin Jackman – to keep flying and saving lives.

Starting her triathlon with a 100m swim at the Dukeries Leisure Centre in Ollerton, Erin then went on to complete a 2km run, and immediately after, she finished with a valiant 5km cycle– all to raise funds for the national charity.

“I chose to do a triathlon because it was a really difficult challenge, so I thought people might give more money,” expressed Erin.

“The hardest part was the biking because it was raining really hard, and it was very windy that day,” she added.

Erin began her journey with the charity after signing up to be a member of #TheCrew – an exciting club for children linked to the lifesaving charity – as she has a real affinity with air ambulances.

“I love the Children’s Air Ambulance as it can make children’s lives much easier if they are poorly or have really bad difficulties.”

“I also love the local emergency air ambulances and I want to be a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) doctor when I grow up – because you get to save people’s lives and work on a helicopter,” continued Erin.

Commenting on her daughter’s accomplishment, Helen Jackman added, “I’m incredibly proud of Erin, especially considering the weather conditions on the day, but she was determined and completed the whole challenge in under an hour!”

Erin has already raised a fantastic £260 from her triathlon and is already thinking about her next challenge to raise more money to help the charity transfer even more critically ill babies and children in their hour of need.

Youth Development Manager for TCAA, Anoushka Brown commented:

“Erin is an inspirational young girl for taking on such a tough challenge and completing it in under an hour.”

“It’s great to see her enjoying being a member of #TheCrew and already raising £260 for our charity, we really appreciate her efforts!”

Being a member of #TheCrew like Erin, children can learn about saving lives, helicopters, medicine, fundraising, and how a charity works. The club offers advice and teaching on community work, volunteering, working as part of a team, and supporting good causes which form part of many school curriculums.

“It is completely free to join and, once signed up, members will receive an awesome welcome pack,” added Anoushka.