A six-year-old boy from Appleby who smashed his fundraising target for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) was lucky enough to witness the team in action.
John Dobson, from Brackenber, aimed to raise £100 for the charity after signing up to their Race to the Base challenge.
The virtual fundraising event saw supporters cover distances that the GNAAS’ critical care team travel while responding to call-outs.
They had to complete the distance during May and could cover it any way they wanted, such as running, walking, cycling, or swimming.
John chose to run the shortest distance, which was 32 miles, and aimed to complete it by the end of May but managed to reach his target a lot sooner.
His mother Gemma Dobson said: “He surpassed all expectations finishing in just 17 days. He ran before school to fit the miles in and didn’t miss a single day.”
John was inspired to take part in the challenge after his grandad was airlifted to hospital, and he wanted to raise money to buy a new helicopter for GNAAS.
He immediately surpassed his £100 target and has raised more than £900 for the charity.
John has also acquired a newfound love for running after recently completing the Yomp 10k in Kirkby Stephen, and he now wants to race with the juniors at Howgill Harriers.
Recently John and his family visited GNAAS’ base in Langwathby, Penrith where he was able to see the money he’s raised being put to good use, after witnessing the charity’s critical care team take-off in their helicopter to help someone in need.
He said: “I liked that I could see the helicopter taking off to save someone. I also liked dressing up as a pilot and learning lots of air ambulance facts.”
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