Step by step, Joy’s Trek 24

Each year, hundreds of people enjoy the challenge and scenery of our flagship Trek 24 fundraising events. By taking on our 24-mile, 24km or 2.4-mile routes, participants can take in some of the most beautiful parts of our region and walking alongside like-minded adventurers – all while raising money to save lives.

Joy Pickering from Reepham is one of the people joining our Norfolk Trek 24, which will take place on June 6 in Sandringham. We are so pleased she’s joining our other intrepid Trekkers – and she has a special reason for getting involved because, in 2007, Joy’s life took an unexpected turn.

While horse-riding, her horse was spooked during a canter, and Joy was thrown onto the ground. She fell onto grass but, with a lack of recent rainfall, the ground was hard and the fall resulted in a fractured pelvis. Joy recalls being in a lot of pain and being unable to get herself up. While the land ambulance was first on the scene, a crew from East Anglian Air Ambulance followed shortly after by helicopter.

“I remember telling them that I wasn’t usually one for helicopters!” Joy says.

However, a road journey in a land ambulance would have taken around 40 minutes, so she was transferred by helicopter. From the scene to the hospital doors, it took just ten minutes.

The road to recovery was a long one. Joy spent ten days in hospital, followed by six weeks in a wheelchair and ten weeks on crutches. While she decided to stop riding, joking that she’s reached an age where she “no longer bounces”, she was determined to get back on her feet.

Walking became a new focus. What started as a way to recover grew into a real passion. Joy even started her own walking group and has already undertaken several walking challenges for other charities close to her heart. This year, we’re delighted that she has chosen to support the work we do by taking on 24 miles at Norfolk Trek 24, alongside a good friend who also wanted to support our lifesaving work.

Joy is looking forward to this new challenge at a new walking location for her.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the camaraderie and the feel-good factor at the end,” she says. “And seeing a different area is a plus!”

Joy is always looking for ways to support her community. She is a regular monthly supporter of East Anglian Air Ambulance, and Joy and her friend have set their sights on raising £1,000 together through their Trek challenge to help keep our helicopters flying and critical care cars on the road. As she puts it, “every penny really does count” because we’re fuelled by donations so support from our Trekkers helps to power our lifesaving missions.

Good luck to Joy and all of our Trekkers this year – we can’t wait to welcome you to Trek and see you enjoying that well-earned “feel-good factor!”

It’s not too late to sign up for Trek 24! You too can save lives by completing one (or more!) of our 24-mile, 24 km or 2.4 mile treks across some of the most beautiful parts of East Anglia. Bring your friends, family and colleagues, or trek solo and meet other like-minded adventurers on the way!