Rally fever at the Wales Air Ambulance
Wales Air Ambulance Paramedic Ian Binnington is set for an entertaining ride when he jumps into the passenger seat in November on the James Trenholme Rally starting on the Llyn Peninsula. Ian will be navigating for Mike Hughes who is normally a co-driver himself but for this event he will be swapping seats to take the wheel in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance.
Hughes has been a supporter of the WAA since 2005 where he sustained serious injuries in an accident. While co-driving on Cambrian Rally the car he was in plunged 30ft down a steep embankment into the forest below. The quickest way to hospital was by air and that’s where the WAA came to his rescue transporting him to hospital in a matter of minutes.
Ian explained ‘I got a quick phone call from Mike saying I’ve got an idea, how do you fancy doing a rally? Having seen Mike come back from his accident and knowing how much he loves the sport there was only one reply….GO ON THEN!’ Hughes added ‘I’d had this idea for a while. I normally co-drive on events myself but thought it would be a good laugh to actually swap seats. After milling it over I thought why not and do it in aid of the WAA. It was then I thought, just for fun lets get a paramedic to sit in the silly seat!’
The rally run by Harlech & District Motor Club will consist of a 85mile route and during the course of the evening a number of sections will be run with controls to check on their progress. ‘I’ve never done anything like this so Mikes going to give me some lessons, and at least on the night he’ll be there to help me and laugh’ added Ian. The two are hoping to complete the route fail free and with as little time lost as possible but they also know that there is a greater cause.
The Wales Air Ambulance is completely funded by the generosity of the people who live or visit the principality. Every year the service needs to raise £3 million and without the help of the many people who organise different fundraising events this just wouldn’t be possible. The service saves many lives and its all down to the golden hour in which casualties are transported to the hospital to receive treatment. ‘By doing the rally we hope we will raise awareness of the service but also raise some money at the same time. It is going to be a good laugh and a brilliant experience for both of us!’ commented Hughes.
If anyone wishes to sponsor the adrenaline fuelled duo please contact the Wales Air Ambulance service in Wrexham direct and donate on 08700 736 999.
Wales Air Ambulance Paramedic Ian Binnington is set for an entertaining ride when he jumps into the passenger seat in November on the James Trenholme Rally starting on the Llyn Peninsula. Ian will be navigating for Mike Hughes who is normally a co-driver himself but for this event he will be swapping seats to take the wheel in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance.
Hughes has been a supporter of the WAA since 2005 where he sustained serious injuries in an accident. While co-driving on Cambrian Rally the car he was in plunged 30ft down a steep embankment into the forest below. The quickest way to hospital was by air and that’s where the WAA came to his rescue transporting him to hospital in a matter of minutes.
Ian explained ‘I got a quick phone call from Mike saying I’ve got an idea, how do you fancy doing a rally? Having seen Mike come back from his accident and knowing how much he loves the sport there was only one reply….GO ON THEN!’ Hughes added ‘I’d had this idea for a while. I normally co-drive on events myself but thought it would be a good laugh to actually swap seats. After milling it over I thought why not and do it in aid of the WAA. It was then I thought, just for fun lets get a paramedic to sit in the silly seat!’
The rally run by Harlech & District Motor Club will consist of a 85mile route and during the course of the evening a number of sections will be run with controls to check on their progress. ‘I’ve never done anything like this so Mikes going to give me some lessons, and at least on the night he’ll be there to help me and laugh’ added Ian. The two are hoping to complete the route fail free and with as little time lost as possible but they also know that there is a greater cause.
The Wales Air Ambulance is completely funded by the generosity of the people who live or visit the principality. Every year the service needs to raise £3 million and without the help of the many people who organise different fundraising events this just wouldn’t be possible. The service saves many lives and its all down to the golden hour in which casualties are transported to the hospital to receive treatment. ‘By doing the rally we hope we will raise awareness of the service but also raise some money at the same time. It is going to be a good laugh and a brilliant experience for both of us!’ commented Hughes.
If anyone wishes to sponsor the adrenaline fuelled duo please contact the Wales Air Ambulance service in Wrexham direct and donate on 08700 736 999.
