A March firefighter raised more than £4,000 for Magpas by bringing 70 people together on 45 bikes for a 12 hour spin-a-thon.
After raising £2,000 with a six-hour spin-a-thon in 2017, Wayne Marshall decided to make this year’s event at the George Campbell Leisure Centre in March bigger and better.
The 43-year-old, who is a crew commander at Cambridge Fire and Rescue Service, came up with the charity fundraiser having worked with Magpas at the scene of many emergencies.
Mr Marshall said: “We have raised £4,200 so far but there’s still more to come in. It was a long day but it was great.
“There were a few teams there alternating riders, and a good 30 people did the whole 12 hours.
“There was great commitment from the majority of people there. Some people just came for an hour or two and donated, so that was great.”
Amongst the participants were Sarah Crosbie, the wife of a man whose life was saved by Magpas, and Sally Boor, one of the charity’s critical care paramedics.
To keep everyone motivated and in good spirits, live DJs provided the music to spur people on from 6pm and some of the UK’s top spinning instructors made guest appearances to lead the rides.
Wayne’s motivation was simple, he says.
“In the 15 years I have worked with them, I have attended many emergencies where we have needed the expert skills of the Magpas enhanced medical team.
“From road traffic collisions to lumberjacks with horrific chainsaw injuries, their lifesaving work is truly amazing.”
Wayne is already planning next year’s event – and he wants it to be even bigger.
“We’re hoping to put on 150 bikes at a big venue in Whittlesey over the weekend of May 18 and 19.”
He says seeing first-hand the difference Magpas Air Ambulance can make and the fact that the charity receives no state-funding is the reason he organises events like it.
“I want to do my bit to keep this amazing, lifesaving service going, and would encourage others to do the same. You never know, you or your family may need Magpas Air Ambulance one day.”
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