Ambulance crews and community organisations raise £20k at adrenaline-fuelled charity competitions

Ambulance crews, call handlers and community organisations came together this week to raise an impressive £20,000 for London Ambulance Charity.

In a nail-biting series of races, Montgomery Group defeated last year’s winners at the Dragon Boat Race – a team of paramedics and clinicians from Westminster Ambulance Station. And equally eye-catching were some of the competitors in the London to Brighton Cycle Ride.

Nicola Macdonald, PR Director at Montgomery Group and part of the winning team Row Farah, said: “We were over the moon to win. It’s a redemption story for us because last year we capsized in the final. So we were absolutely delighted to still be dry at the end.

“We had a really wonderful day supporting the London Ambulance Charity. Our team all live in London and will think it’s such an important charity that does amazing things to help frontline crews care for Londoners – so we really wanted to support them.”

Dragon Boat Racing is a tradition dating back more than 2,000 years ago to ancient China, involving canoes adorned with dragon heads, scales and tails. Each team of 10 rowers and a drummer setting the rhythm in the distinctly-designed dragon boats completed a series of 200 metre races.

At the London to Brighton Cycle Ride, London Ambulance Emergency Medical Technician Rob Lewis cycled to Brighton in a pirate outfit on a tandem. He said: “We’re really pleased with our achievement!

“You’d have thought it would be easier on a tandem but you can’t argue with physics – the extra weight of the bike and two people meant it was a challenge, especially uphill.

“Going downhill was a breeze though. We overtook many participants who had passed us on the way up.

“The costumes helped with loads of lovely comments. I look forward to continuing my many adventures and of course helping the London Ambulance Charity along the way.”

The money raised will support staff at London Ambulance Service by funding wellbeing initiatives for frontline crews, including wellbeing support vehicles, outdoor gardens and rest areas at ambulance stations.

The London Ambulance Charity is also calling on Londoners to join their flagship fundraising event – the London Life Hike – to raise funds for vital life-saving defibrillators in communities which need them most.

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest – where the heart stops pumping blood around the body – early chest compressions and a shock from a defibrillator can more than double a person’s chances of survival.

Olivia Peters, Events and Community Fundraising Manager at the London Ambulance Charity, said: “I would like to thank everyone for their incredible team efforts at these fun and exhilarating challenges.

“The money raised will go towards helping those who care for us, our friends and our families in our time of greatest need.

“If you’d like to make a difference to the health of your communities, please join the London Life Hike – which is taking place from Southwark Park on Saturday 27 September.”

At the London Life Hike, participants can choose to walk a 6km or a 21km scenic route through central London, taking in many of the city’s iconic landmarks.

There will also be CPR training, children’s activities and a chance to see some of London Ambulance Service’s historic collection.

To support the charity’s life-saving work by taking on this new challenge, you can register here.