The Irish Community Air Ambulance is encouraging runners to sign up for the Dublin Marathon to raise funds for the organisation. The event returns to the streets of the capital for the first time since 2019 and is sold out. However a limited number of charity places are available.
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Air Ambulance works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and responds to serious emergency and trauma calls from its base in Rathcool, Co Cork every day of the year.
The organisation also funds a Critical Care Rapid Response service staffed by volunteer critical care doctors and an Advanced Life Support Doctor Service with community based GP’s. The rapid response vehicles are on the ground in counties Dublin, Mayo and Donegal.
Olivia Cotter from Doneraile, Co Cork plans to run the Dublin Marathon on October 30th in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance. She has first-hand experience of the service, her son was airlifted to Cork University Hospital after falling under a moving tractor in July 2020.
Olivia describes what happened:
TJ was 16 at the time and was helping out with the hay at home. He went to climb on the tractor like he had done thousands of times before but missed his footing and went under it. We rang the emergency services straight away and they tasked the Irish Community Air Ambulance. The helicopter was here in seven minutes. TJ was bleeding from his ear so we were afraid that he had suffered a head injury. Thankfully, he had a lucky escape and was allowed home the next day. I know it could have easily been much worse and I’m so thankful that the Air Ambulance was there.
Olivia is encouraging people to consider running this year’s marathon for the Irish Community Air Ambulance. She added:
I never believed I had it in me to do a marathon but this October’s event will be my fourth. I’m not built for speed but a finish is a finish and I’ll be getting the same medal as the top runners. I’m delighted to be running in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance.
The organisation is also encouraging Dublin Marathon participants who have already secured their place to pick the Irish Community Air Ambulance as their charity of choice.
CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Micheál Sheridan said:
The Dublin Marathon is one of the most popular events on the running calendar and places are much sought after. We’re thrilled to have a limited number of entries available for this year’s event. We know that life can change in an instant and that nobody sets out on their day thinking that they will need our help. Fundraisers and donations allow us to bring hope to patients when they need it most. Our HEMS Air Ambulance can reach any location within a 25,000sq km area in less than 30 minutes. Our team of volunteer critical care doctors on the ground in Dublin, Mayo and Donegal bring the hospital to the patient and can carry out life-saving interventions at the scene of serious incidents and traumas.
For more information or to sign up to run the Dublin Marathon in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance visit: https://communityairambulance.ie/marathons/
Each participant will receive an air ambulance technical t-shirt, snood and training plan as part of their fundraising pack.
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