Today we have jumped on the ‘virtual’ wagon and launched our Coast to Coast Virtual Challenge which aims to keep you active for the whole month of May.

Like many other charities, our fundraising has been seriously affected by COVID-19. Not only is it our 20^th Anniversary year, but it would have been our 10^th annual Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge. This was due to take place on Sunday 17^th May and was once again sold out. However, like many other events and understandably, it had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Back in March we announced our 20^th Anniversary and issued a special edition of our Beeline magazine which contained so many different ways that the local community could support us over the coming year, enabling us to be there for the next 20 years and beyond.

Many people were due to fundraise on our behalf, but due to the current pandemic, they are no longer able to do so. Some have asked how they can still get involved and help us, so we have been working really hard to try and come up with new fundraising ideas and different ways in which we can showcase the amazing work of our critical care team, who continue to deliver our life-saving service for 19 hours every single day.

Our Coast to Coast Virtual Challenge is a great way that you can stay active and raise funds for our life-saving service at the same time. It is suitable for all ages and abilities and involves taking part in ‘active’ exercise - at home or as part of your permitted daily exercise following UK Government guidelines, over a distance of 55 miles, 11 miles or any distance that you feel is a challenge to you.

You can use whatever ‘active’ means you have available - cycle, run, walk, scoot, row etc. and also use exercise bikes, treadmills, rowing machines or whatever you have available at home. We think that taking part as a group or a team is also achievable, if you use some of the tools like ‘Zoom’ or ‘House Party’ that are available and currently bringing people together. This does not have to be completed all at once, simply add your daily distance to your running total and head towards your final goal. Whatever activity you decide to do, please remember to stay safe and ensure to follow government’s advice on exercise and social distancing.

HOW TO JOIN OUR COAST TO COAST VIRTUAL CHALLENGE

• Accept the challenge and pledge a one-off donation of £5 
• If you would like to raise more funds by asking your family, friends and colleagues to sponsor you, simply set up a fundraising page
• Set your own exercise schedule (if you are considering 55 miles, this would equate to just under two miles a day).
• No evidence is required that you have completed your miles, but if you want to clock them yourselves you could do this by using apps such as Strava/MapMyRun or others available on your devices.
• Post a photo or video on social media to show that you are taking part in the challenge – this might inspire others to do the same. Make sure you follow us, tag @dsairambulance and use the hashtags #c2cvirtualchallenge and #dsaa55miles or #dsaa11miles

Join our Coast to Coast Virtual Challenge today 

On behalf of the patients that need us, thank you for all your continued support.