Horse rider braving the shave for local lifesaving air ambulance

A horse rider from Rutland will be shaving her head to raise the vital funds needed to keep your local air ambulance flying.

Your local air ambulance, which consists of the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance as well as the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, provides a lifesaving service across its five counties and further afield.

Being a horse rider and having lived in Northampton for 10 years, and now Rutland for the past 8, Vicky Laing is an avid supporter of your local air ambulance.

Vicky had just been selected to ride for Great Britain in the young riders European Championships – 20 years ago – when she had a serious fall from a young horse whilst out eventing.

“I had broken my lower back in a few places, crushed my pelvis, broken my collar bone and had vast internal injuries,” she said.

Without the air ambulance crew who attended her that day, Vicky would not have made it to the hospital as quickly, or as smoothly as she did, and has since always tried to support them.

“I understand how very important charities such as your local air ambulance are, and without everyone’s support they cannot keep flying and saving lives the way that they do,” she said.

Vicky, who will be donating her hair to The Little Princess Trust, is set to complete her brave challenge on 3 September.

Her fundraising target is set at £1,500 and she needs support from the public to help her achieve it.

“I chose to shave my head because I wanted to make an impact in getting the support needed to raise the vital funds for your local air ambulance as they rely on donations to carry out their daily lifesaving missions.

“I am still riding to a high level, and I would like them to still be there should I or another member of our community ever need pre-hospital critical care,” she added.

The charity which recently reached its 40,000th mission milestone, depends on generous fundraising challenges like this, especially as its set to receive two brand new replacement helicopters early next year.

Community Fundraising Executive for the charity, Vicky Evans adds: “We are absolutely delighted that Vicky has chosen to support your local air ambulance for her incredible challenge.

“We are so grateful for community support such as Vicky’s as it really is what keeps us flying and saving lives. Each of our daily missions cost £1,700 and we receive no government or national lottery funding to support these.

“We wish her the very best of luck with her head shave and look forward to seeing the final result. It’s an incredibly brave challenge to undertake and Vicky really is a hero to us for undertaking such a task.”

To support Vicky’s brave challenge, please visit her JustGiving page here