Warwickshire woman runs half marathon for lifesaving charity

Rachel Brown (38) from Whitnash has completed a half marathon, raising vital funds for two local charities close to her heart.

Last Summer, whilst out for a run, Rachel saw how quickly life can change, and how the local air ambulance came to a patient in need – who they then quickly flew to hospital.

Rachel was the first person to reach and help a cyclist involved in a collision with a van, who was in a critical condition.

“I was desperate for help, and I am thankful for everyone who did help, but he needed urgent medical attention quickly and no amount of first aid training was going to be enough,” said Rachel.

The air ambulance crew and paramedics took over on arrival, treated the patient, and thanks to the speed of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA), he arrived at the hospital in just over an hour.

“He had suffered multiple injuries, including a brain injury and I have since learned that WNAA probably saved his life that day,” she said.

Bravely taking on her own half marathon – after only six months of training – the Head of Marketing at Baxi Heating has raised a phenomenal £1,545 for WNAA and £1,485 for the Central England Brain Injury Charity (CERU) for everything they did to help.

Rachel added, “I was really pleased to be able to keep running and complete the half marathon in just over two hours.

“The fundraiser was my way of giving back and I feel incredibly proud and thankful for being able to raise so much money for those who provided such vital care to the patient.”

Community Fundraising Executive for WNAA, Lee Bunting said: “Rachel really is an inspiration, not only for running a long distance but for how much she wanted to help the patient that day, and then help our charity and CERU by raising those vital funds.

“WNAA is a charity which relies on public donations and fundraisers, and support like Rachel’s is more vital now than ever before as the charity is set to receive two brand new replacement helicopters early next year in order to continue providing their lifesaving service.”