I'm taking on a 100km Ultra Challenge this September, and I am asking for your support, not for me, but for the volunteers who give everything to help save lives across our local community.

I have always admired volunteers, people who give up their time, often quietly and without recognition, in support of others. But our volunteers at Red Horse Vale CFR are something else. They train on weekends, attend meetings and CPD in the evenings and then, in their spare time, respond to 999 calls.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Teachers, engineers, tradespeople, retirees, students. What they have in common is a willingness to be there, first on scene and ready to help strangers through some of the most emotionally charged moments of their lives.

And in 96% of our callouts, we are there first. That first presence matters. Sometimes, it's reassurance. Sometimes, it's life-saving treatment.

Whilst we are not part of the NHS, we respond on behalf of the West Midlands Ambulance Service. We’re a small, independent charity covering 230 square miles of South Warwickshire. We rely almost entirely on fundraising.

Every pound we raise goes towards:

Our dedicated emergency response vehicle (fuel, servicing, insurance)

Lifesaving kit: defibrillators, medical bags, uniforms.

Charity running costs: insurance, IT, training materials.

Education in our communities: because resilience begins with understanding.

I left my full-time role in the ambulance service in 2022, but something was missing. After a stint on the Channel Islands and time spent supporting events in the Arctic and the Saudi desert, I realised what I missed most wasn’t just the adrenaline, but the purpose. The connection. The moment when a stranger opens the door and you’re the first face they see.

That’s why I still respond.

And now, it's why I’m lacing up my shoes and pushing myself through a 100km race, because our team is worth it. Their time, their compassion, their resilience, they're what make this possible. I’m hoping to raise enough to help them carry on saving lives and building stronger communities.

If you’re able to give, even a little, you’ll be supporting something real.

You’ll be helping us be there. First on scene, and ready to act.