A PENRITH woman is fundraising for the region’s air ambulance by completing 51 challenges in memory of her husband who was killed in an accident while working on the M6.
School teacher, Julie Labbett, is tackling a year-long fundraising quest, which she has dubbed “Challenge 51”, in honour of her husband, Adam Gibb, who was aged 51 when he died earlier this year.
Mr Gibb, a traffic officer for the Highways Agency, tragically died while carrying out his duties on the M6 in Cumbria on February 21. In the same incident, his colleague, Paul Holroyd, was seriously injured.
Mr Holroyd was stabilised and airlifted by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, within 17 minutes.
Now Ms Labbett, who works at Langwathby Primary School, is hoping to give something back to the charity which rushed to the scene of the crash her husband was involved in.
She said: “I just want something positive to come from the situation. Adam may have died but if it wasn’t for GNAAS, Paul may not be here also.”
As part of her list of challenges set out so far, she plans to take on the Great North Swim, climb Helvellyn and cycle two Lakeland passes.
One of Ms Labbett’s most recent challenges was to become a volunteer for GNAAS and she has attended local events such as the Lake District’s Total Warrior, to represent the charity.
Ms Labbett said: “It’s been great fun and I’m just glad I can help in some way.”
Mandy Drake, head of fundraising for GNAAS, said: “Julie is truly an inspiration. The strength which she has shown to embark on these challenges is amazing. We are proud to welcome her as a volunteer and will do what we can to support her through her fundraising journey.”
To support Ms Labbett’s fundraising visit her JustGiving page here.
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