18 May 2012
A
paramedic is set to paddle a kayak from London to Manchester to
raise money for a life-saving charity.
Tony McColley will set off on the 240-mile trip on 9 June and
expects it will take about nine days to complete.
Tony, aged 50, who is based at Whipps Cross ambulance station, has
completed ultra marathons and motorcycle desert races before and is
raising funds for London’s Air Ambulance.
He said: “Having worked as a student paramedic for three years, I
see the work of London’s Air Ambulance team first hand when we work
together at incidents where people have been very badly injured.
It’s an extremely worthwhile charity and really does make a
difference to people’s lives.
“I’ve been kayaking on and off for six years and wanted to do
something that was a real challenge.”
Tony will set off from Mile End, London and finish at Piccadilly
Basin, Manchester. He will have 190 locks to contend with, as well
as many tunnels to walk round. He will take equipment with him so
he can camp in the evenings.
The London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance work
alongside each other to provide pre-hospital medical care to
victims of serious injury, at the scene of the incident, throughout
London.
You can sponsor Tony at JustTextGiving by texting HEMS 99 to 70070
or by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/londontomanchester
Follow Tony’s journey at www.mapmytracks.com/londontomanchester
- Ends -
Notes to editors:
• For more information about this news release call the
communications department on 020 7783 2286.
• Find out more about the London Ambulance Service at www.londonambulance.nhs.uk
or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ldn_ambulance