TWO ambulance crew members from Barnard Castle’s emergency hub are to walk the circumference of the Isle of Wight for charity.
Clinical care assistant Amanda Coles and paramedic Jennifer Todd, who make up a dual ambulance team, hope to complete the 106km route over two days next month in aid of the Heart Foundation.
This follows a successful fundraising barbecue and raffle Ms Coles held at the quad hub shared by police, ambulance, fire and fell rescue teams, when they raised some £500.
Of the charity she chose to support, Ms Coles said: “I have a heart problem and everyone knows someone who suffers from, or has died from, heart disease.”
The pair are no strangers to charity fundraising causes, with the care assistant and former nursery nurse having already raised cash for Children in Need. She said: “I have climbed mountains for charity. I have done the National Three Peaks and the Yorkshire Three Peaks. I did that for Meningitis.
“We also tend to have a Macmillan coffee morning here [at the 999 hub] although we didn’t have one last year because of Covid-19.”
For her part, Ms Todd this month completed a daring wing-walk on a biplane for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and did a cycle ride for a special care unit in recognition of the help and support she received during her son’s premature childbirth.
Her adventurous spirit has also seen her undertake a parachute jump in the past.
Of joining her ambulance teammate, she said: “I am just mad enough.”
The pair are training for their latest challenge by walking their dogs and completing as much as 12 miles a day, three times a week. Ms Coles said: “I just want to thank all of those who supported us and gave prizes for the raffle. There is a really good community spirt in Barney.”
So far the duo have raised about £400 and hope to reach a target of £500 to take their total to £1,000.
Anyone who wants to support them can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/amanda-coles4.
