Dr Scott Castell is one of our fantastic Air Ambulance Doctors who has set himself the challenge of going #FurtherFasterGreater for Magpas to help keep our new Air Ambulance flying.
If being part of the 24/7 Magpas medical team and soon to be a new dad wasn’t enough, Scott is pushing himself to run a total of 169km carrying his full medical kit to raise £16,900 to celebrate the arrival of our brand new AW169 air ambulance which will help our emergency medics travel further, fly faster, and provide lifesaving care to a greater number of patients.
Scott can do the running but he needs your help to reach his target and keep the air ambulance flying!
So please read in his own words why Dr Scott is going #FurtherFasterGreater and sponsor his #Challenge169 to show your support!
"I'm Doctor Scott, I'm 33, and I've worked with Magpas Air Ambulance for 18 months - a job I love. Working for Magpas has been an ambition of mine since I attended some of the charity's training courses at Leicester hospital when I was a medical student a decade ago, learning from some of the doctors who helped make Magpas what it is today. After lots of perseverance and determination, I achieved my goal and became part of the Magpas medical team.
I have a wife and two dogs, I play rugby, and I’m also a drummer in a local band – nothing big, but we play weddings, pubs, that kind of thing. And I’m due to become a dad for the first time in July!
“I wanted to find a way to raise money for Magpas Air Ambulance to keep the new helicopter flying and set myself a personal challenge too – something that’s actually hard to do and something that will make people stop and take notice.
Eventually I came to the decision that I would run a total of 169 kilometres, for the AW169 – our new Magpas Air Ambulance – in full kit.
I remember the man who ran the London Marathon wearing an old diving suit years ago, it took him two weeks, but he did it. I think there’s definitely some inspiration there from him. The Magpas Air Ambulance flight suit and kit bag isn’t quite that heavy, but it will still be a challenge!
The trousers alone filled with all the necessary kit weigh an additional 7 Kilos and with the full kit and bag, it weights approximately 15kg, so it’s a lot more challenging than running normally. It’s also very, very hot in a flight suit. I’ve only been training in the cooler months, so who knows how hot it’s going to get in there when I’m doing summer runs. But every kilometre, every drop of blood, sweat, and tears, will be worth it if it raises funds and helps us save more lives. And who knows, it might inspire others as well!
I’ve always been good at pushing myself physically and mentally, so wanted to put those skills to good use and do something that raises money for this amazing charity to help more people when they need it most. The new air ambulance will make that difference, but it will be a team effort to keep it flying – so I need your help!
Magpas is still a charity that relies on public donations and people taking on challenges to fundraise for the service. That is why I’m doing this, and why I’d love you to sponsor me.”
“My next race is the Bedford Half Marathon in September –Magpas is actually a charity partner of the race and we have further places – so you if you’re interested in challenging yourself to go #FurtherFasterGreater too sign up and join me!
Running a half marathon is a really good personal challenge. Almost anyone can do it if they have the right mindset and do some training. The spectator support at these events is always amazing, and there is literally no feeling like when you run over that finish line and complete it. It’s not an easy run, it is a challenge, but that’s exactly why people will sponsor you to do it.”
Thank you for reading and I hope I’ve inspired you in a small way to go join in through sponsorship or by challenging yourself
to go #FurtherFasterGreater for Magpas too. “
