Critical care paramedic James Yates, who works with the Great Western Air Ambulance, will be instantly recognisable when he pounds the streets of Bath for the half marathon, as he will be wearing his bright orange flight suit.
James has set himself the challenge of completing the 13.1 miles in his flight suit.
He knows first hand just how vital GWAAC is, having responded to incidents where the intervention of our team is the difference between life or death.
James, who lives in Bradford on Avon, said: “Working as part of the team on the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity I know how vital it is that we get the specialist care to patients quickly.
“I am running the Bath Half to support the charity, and have taken on the challenge of running in my flight suit – I will definitely stand out!”
James is one of six critical care paramedics who respond to life threatening incidents by helicopter or one of the charity’s critical care cars.
In 2015, the air ambulance crew attended 1,655 jobs: 632 by helicopter and 1,023 by critical care car.
Of these incidents 84 occurred in Bath and North East Somerset.
The simple fact is that the charity save lives. From emergency caesareans to roadside amputations to treating cardiac arrests, it is the skill and dedication of their team that means one patient in five – a patient otherwise expected to die – survives.
James will be joined in the half marathon by the dedicated TeamGWAAC runners, who will be wearing lime green and blue tops.
The GWAAC community fundraising coordinator for Bath, Ella Mayne, said: “Every single person who is running the Bath half Marathon for us is helping to save lives.
“The money they raise will go towards keeping our helicopter flying, so our team can help those who are seriously ill or injured.
“The vital service we provide could not exist without people supporting us, as we receive no day to day funding from the Government or National Lottery.
“It costs £2.3 million a year to keep the helicopter flying – so the money raised through sponsorship really does save lives.”
If you spot James or any of the TeamGWAAC runners please cheer them on.
To find out more about this life-saving and crucial charity, visit www.gwaac.com.