A huge thank you to eight-year-old Phoebe who is taking on a 25-mile cycle challenge in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance during May. Phoebe, from West Suffolk was inspired to fundraise after she heard about our Cambridge Air Base Appeal.
Her parents – Paul and Claire – both work in the NHS. Paul works with the ambulance service, and has experience of seeing and working with our crew at various medical emergencies over the years.
“Phoebe knows about our jobs, and she’s seen the East Anglian Air Ambulance helicopter landing nearby before,” Paul explains. “She also watches ‘Operation Ouch’ on TV – a children’s programme about the human body and medicine. It sometimes features helicopters, so she knows quite a bit about the work that East Anglian Air Ambulance does.”
“The cycling challenge was all her idea. She heard about the charity’s fundraising appeal for a new base, so she wanted to raise some money.”
Our urgent appeal was launched in April because Cambridge Airport – current home of our Anglia Two (Cambridge) crew will be closing – and with it, the base our Cambridge crew call home. We now need to raise £8.2 million to relocate, build a new Cambridge Air Base and protect lifesaving care across the region. That’s why we have called on local people to help, and we’re humbled and delighted that Phoebe has been inspired to fundraise.
Phoebe is a big fan of cycling and has been completing five or six miles at a time close to her home near Bury St Edmunds – part of the region often attended by the Anglia Two crew. Her fundraising target was initially £250 but, at the time of writing, she had already surpassed that.
Dr Jeremy Mauger from East Anglian Air Ambulance, said,
“Phoebe’s challenge is an incredible example of community spirit from someone so young. At just eight years old, her 25-mile bicycle ride in support of East Anglian Air Ambulance is a fantastic undertaking and she is an inspiration to us all.
It is also a reminder of the importance of East Anglian Air Ambulance’s lifesaving services. The charity is funded almost entirely by donations from the public. Support from people like Phoebe is more important than ever as we fundraise for the relocation and build of a new Cambridge Air Base. This will help us continue saving lives across the region for years to come. We are always humbled by the public’s support so thank you, Phoebe – we wish you the very best of luck for your challenge.”
Phoebe said, “I want to help this charity so they can keep helping people who are seriously unwell.”
Paul adds, “We are so proud of Phoebe for taking on this challenge. It’s a great achievement.”
Thank you, Phoebe, for your incredible support.
To donate to Phoebe’s fundraising visit her Go Fund Me page.
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