Cyclists raise funds for counties’ air ambulance service
Posted: 24th June 2013
Posted in: Uncategorised 
A sponsored cycle, optional 100 miles or 100km, took place yesterday with the hope to raise money for Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex’s air ambulance service. Around 100 cyclists will be riding through these counties, hoping to raise more money than the £9,000 raised last year. The Double 100 Cycle Challenge – the registration of which closed on Friday – was launched in 2012 to help improve the air ambulance service that operates across Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex.
The route both began, and finished, at the charity’s Redhill Aerodrome base – home to one of the charity’s helicopters; the other is in Marden, Kent. The helicopter based in Redhill, has been replaced by a newer version of the MD902 Explorer aircraft -all thanks to the charity’s fundraising.
Sussex police officers do more than one sponsored cycle
One team taking part in the sponsored event is a group of Sussex police officers. The team includes PCs Trevor Perks, Gary Douglas and James Daniel – based at Eastbourne and Polegate – who have so far raised over £700 for the charity. Not only are they completing this challenge, but they recently, alongside three other colleagues, completed a 250 mile cycle from Eastbourne to Dover, Calais to Dieppe, and Newhaven to Eastbourne.
PC Perks (47) said: “I was going to do the 100km ride but our sponsors’ generosity has inspired me to aim for 100 miles”.
One critical-care paramedic said that now was an exciting time to be involved in the air ambulance service. The charity recently managed to launch a blood transfusion service and hopes to start night flights later in the year. Not only this, but yesterday’s race also saw the unveiling of the charity’s newly upgraded helicopter: proof of their fundraising success.
« Leading cheese company fined following tractor death
£150,000 injury compensation paid out to Gloucestershire pupils »