A NURSE who has first hand experience of the importance of the air ambulance is taking on the ultimate challenge to raise money, the London Marathon.
Emma Timms, who works as a cardiac nurse at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, has wanted to run the marathon for years.
What makes Emma’s ambition to complete the marathon even more impressive is that she’ll be competing two years after being diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
POTS causes an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting or standing.
It typically causes dizziness and fainting and it affects everyone differently, but sufferers can struggle to work – meaning running a marathon will prove a tough task.
Emma said: “Since I was a little girl I have watched the marathon in awe of those running and hoped that one day I would take part. It’s on my bucket list.
“I decided to apply through the air ambulance and raise money for this worthwhile cause.
“There were times when I wondered if I would ever make it back to work.
“As a cardiac nurse specialist, I have chosen to run for The Air Ambulance Service as I see the importance of its work every day. It often brings us our most poorly patients.
“Their chances of survival are vastly improved by its fast, lifesaving care.”
The Air Ambulance Service is the parent charity that funds Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
Each mission carried out by the services costs approximately £1,800.
Jennifer Hughes, fundraising manager for the air ambulance, said: “We’re thrilled Emma is running the marathon for us.
“A huge part of what we do is about teamwork – without the hard work of staff in our local hospitals, lives would be lost.
“And as our service receives no government funding, without people raising money for us in our communities, we wouldn’t be able to continue our vital work.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Emma-timms4 to help Emma achieve her fundraising target.
