Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) is calling on supporters to join their annual ‘Hike4Helis’ challenge this April to help raise vital funds for the life-saving Charity.
YAA serves five million people across Yorkshire and carries out over 1,300 missions every year. The Charity operates two, state-of-the-art Airbus H-145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep their helicopter maintained and in the air.
Throughout April, YAA is challenging supporters to cycle, walk or run the distance in air miles to Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley (10 miles) as part of ‘Team Pilot Percy’, The Cow and Calf Rocks at Ilkley (25 miles) as part of ‘Team Dr Priti’ or Whitby Abbey (65 miles) as part of ‘Team Paramedic Polly’. Participants could even go for all three and complete 100 miles and don’t have to physically travel to these locations. People are encouraged to simply walk, run, cycle or use any method of their choice to complete the distance at a location convenient to them.
Those who complete the challenge will be sent an official YAA Hike4Helis certificate to acknowledge their achievement and are encouraged to share their progress and updates via social media channels.
Lin Stead, Fundraising Manager (East and North) for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance said: “The YAA relies entirely on the generosity of individuals and businesses and our Hike4Helis challenge is a great way for people of all ages to start their YAA fundraising journey and help a great cause. Any form of exercise is not only great for your physical health, but it can be a huge boost for your mental health too. We want this challenge to be inclusive for everyone so people of all ages and abilities can join in and adapt the challenge to suit their capabilities.
It can be as simple as swapping a car journey for a walk each day, or for those looking for a bigger challenge, they can hike or run the distance over a weekend. You don’t have to stop at the suggested miles either, you can do as much or as little as you like, it’s the taking part that counts. Our Mascots Polly Paramedic, Percy Pilot and Dr Priti will be participating too, so keep an eye out on our social channels and website for motivation and inspiration. We’re all really looking forward to Hike4helis 2022 and would like to thank everyone who will be joining us.”
For more information on how to take part and donate, please visit: https://www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk/get-involved/events/yaa-events/hike4helis/