Warwickshire’s Team Ladybugs take on epic challenges for lifesaving children’s charity

A Father and his disabled daughter known as ‘Team Ladybugs’ from Warwick, will be taking on a 24-hour endurance event in aid of the Children’s Air Ambulance.

Stephan Couture and his daughter Chloe (14), who was born with cerebral palsy and is registered severely visually impaired, love getting out together and have participated in countless races and over 50 triathlons over the last eight years.

Nothing stops the adventurous and happy Chloe, who is taken around the triathlon courses by Stephan, allowing her to participate in the full experience. Stephan pulls Chloe along on a bespoke designed kayak during the swim, he then tows her on his bike in a specially modified wheelchair, which he then pushes on the run.

“During lockdown, we have been able to continue training safely and during this time we have covered over 700 miles. We have missed our events dearly, so we thought that we could do some events for a few charities that supply amazing services,” says Stephan.

Operated by The Air Ambulance Service, which also runs the local Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, the Children’s Air Ambulance is a vital inter-hospital transfer service flying critically ill babies and children from one hospital to another for specialist care.

The father and daughter duo started their incredible event on 18 July with a half marathon and then completed a Standard Distance Triathlon at Mallory Park, in Leicestershire, on 20 July.

The last leg of their epic week starts Saturday 25 July where they take on a 24-hour endurance event, in conjunction with Trust Races, consisting of a mixture of biking and running – an incredible feat to accomplish.

Talking about their reasons for choosing the lifesaving Children’s charity, Stephan adds; “many people don’t know that there is also a dedicated air ambulance for children. So far this year they have completed over 42 patient transfers and flown a clinical team to a specialist hospital to help save a child’s life.

“An average callout for the Children’s Air Ambulance costs £3,500, which is nothing to save a life.

“They don’t get any government funding for their daily missions, and like the other two charities we are supporting, they rely on the generosity of the public.”

Community Fundraising Executive for the Children’s Air Ambulance, Lee Bunting, comments; “after speaking with Stephan, I felt absolutely humbled by what he and Chloe have done for charities like ours.

“They are very inspirational and it is clear that they do what they do because they are incredibly passionate about helping to raise as much money as they can for vital causes.

“I am looking forward to meeting them as soon as it is safe to do so, and I am so grateful that they have chosen the Children’s Air Ambulance as one of their three charities to support,”

To support the incredible duo on their mission, please visit the charity’s JustGiving page, putting ‘Team Ladybugs’ in the comment box.