The lifesaving crew of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is challenging the people of the West Midlands to help raise vital funds for critical care missions in 2021, as part of the organisation’s 30th anniversary year.

The Air30 Airbase Challenge is based on four distance options, ranging from 27 – 121 miles, which represent the distance between the charity’s three airbases. Participants can select how they complete the chosen mileage as in individual or a group. Any method can be used, you can - run, jog, walk, swim, cycle (or a combination of), or even by pogo stick! Once started supporters will have 30 days to complete the activity.

The challenge will launch in at the start of 2021 to coincide with ‘new year, new you’ regimes, as the nation looks towards starting afresh following the pandemic year. Unlike other traditional physical challenges, those taking part can choose where they complete the activity, meaning that the task can be undertaken at home, whilst pounding the pavements or roads, in the countryside or at the nearest pool.

The Air30 Airbase Challenge starts on Friday 1st January 2021 and will end on Monday 31st May 2021, when the charity first formed. All participants can choose their 30-day window for completion. As well as setting themselves a physical challenge, participants are also being tasked with raising funds for the rapid response, pre-hospital emergency service in a bid to increase donations following the difficulties of 2020.

There will be four challenge options in total, representing three operational airbases across the Midlands – RAF Cosford in Shropshire, Tatenhill Airfield in Staffordshire and Strensham Services on the M5 in Worcestershire. These include:

Each of the four teams will benefit from a member of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s aircrew allocated as a team leader, who will be sending out regular emails to keep participants motivated in their challenges and on their fundraising journeys. A small sign-up fee is required in addition to any sponsorship monies raised. Registering as an individual will cost £5, alternatively participants can complete the challenge as a group of up to four people, costing £10 for a team registration. Emma Gray, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity says:

“We are delighted to launch our first Air30 Airbase Challenge to kickstart our 30th anniversary year and hope local people in all six counties we serve get involved to raise funds and make future missions possible.

“After what has been a difficult year for everyone, and with lots of focus being put on our general health and wellbeing, we hope our challenge brings some much-needed fun to people’s lives as well as encouraging them to stay healthy.”

To register your interest and for more information on Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Air30 Airbase Challenge, visit midlandsairambulance.com and follow the organisation on social media for regular updates.