A local woman is taking on 30 physical challenges in a year to raise vital funds for her local air ambulance service.
Claire Fiddler, 40, from Swalwell in Gateshead, was inspired to launch the ambitious fundraiser after seeing a social media post by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) highlighting the cost of maintaining 30 helmets.
She said:
“It all started while I was mindlessly scrolling through social media.
“I came across a GNAAS post about maintaining 30 helmets which came in at a cost of over £8,000. This post inspired me to consider organising 30 events, so in a way GNAAS helped solidify my decision.”
Although initially daunted by the scale of the fundraiser, after reaching out to the staff at GNAAS for event ideas and fundraising support, she was determined to “go all out”.
Since launching her fundraiser, Claire has taken on a wide range of challenges, which have tested her physically.
Amongst her toughest challenges so far, was a 5k in Miami with extreme heat and humidity and a 12-hour hike up and down Scafell Pike on Christmas Day, where she successfully summited it twice.
She said:
“Black ice, strong winds, temperatures of -4°C and a wind chill of -13°C were, at times, borderline risky. After slipping a number of times, the irony was not lost that I could end up needing the exact service I’m raising money for.”
The one challenge that Claire is most nervous about is a skydive in Durham, called Jump4GNAAS, which is organised by the charity, as she has a fear of heights.
Despite not having a personal connection to GNAAS, Claire has seen their helicopter frequently flying near her home and watched the team in action on TV, so she was determined to help support them.
She said:
“The air ambulance represents hope. Without them, people who find themselves in difficult situations, hours away from medical help, won’t have that hope.
“I am just one fundraiser out of thousands; we may not be directly saving lives but are vital in supporting the paramedics and doctors who do.
“There are so many incredible survival stories that are a testament to GNAAS, lives would be lost without them.”
Claire’s 30th and final challenge will see her cross the finish line at the Great North Run in September, which she expects to be an emotional moment.
She said:
“It will be bittersweet. On one hand, there will be an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, knowing that all the hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off. It’s a culmination of countless hours of training, fundraising, and personal challenges faced along the way. However, there’s also a tinge of sadness as it marks the end of an incredible journey. Ultimately, it will be a moment to celebrate not just personal achievement, but also the collective effort that brought everyone together for such a meaningful cause.”
Claire hopes her fundraising journey will not only raise vital funds, but also awareness that the GNAAS relies entirely on public support to continue its life-saving work.
To support Claire’s fundraising efforts, visit her JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/do-you-want-to-fund-a-gnaas-helicopter
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