Scottish Man to Run Ultra-Trail Snowdonia in Gratitude to Wales Air Ambulance
A grateful Scottish man is set to return to Wales to complete the grueling Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 50k as a heartfelt thank you to the medics who came to his aid after a serious accident. Kenny Reid, a 37-year-old engineering manager from Dundee, was involved in a motorbike crash in Powys in 2024, leaving him with multiple injuries.
Roadside Emergency and Critical Care
During the accident, Kenny suffered a broken left wrist, right arm, right shoulder blade, and a badly torn muscle in his leg. The Wales Air Ambulance's critical care team attended the scene, providing specialist medical treatment at the roadside before airlifting him to the major trauma unit at the Royal Stoke University Hospital. "I was lying at the side of the road in Wales, not really sure what the future was going to look like," Kenny recalled. "Fortunately, the Wales Air Ambulance assessed my injuries and took me to hospital."
Following major surgery to repair his bones, Kenny was discharged and made the long journey back home to Dundee. His recovery has been challenging, but he credits the air ambulance team for giving him the chance to make the best possible recovery. "I'm incredibly grateful for the help I have received," he said. "Without their specialist support, things could have been a lot worse."
Ultra-Trail Snowdonia Challenge
As a token of appreciation, Kenny has committed to running the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 50k on May 16. This mountain ultramarathon, held in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, features over 3,400 meters of elevation gain, making it an exceptionally tough test. Despite not always being a runner, Kenny has built up his fitness, completing two half marathons last year and the Bennachie Ultra, a 50km race with 1,500 meters of ascent, in October.
"My health is in a pretty good place now," Kenny noted. "I've been working hard on recovery, and my cardio fitness and endurance have far exceeded where it was before the accident. My family think I'm a bit crazy, but they're proud and support this great cause."
Fundraising for a Life-Saving Cause
Kenny has set a fundraising target of £2,900 for the Wales Air Ambulance and has already raised an impressive £2,097. The charity, which operates as a consultant-led service, brings hospital-standard treatments to patients and transfers them directly to appropriate hospitals when needed. It relies on public donations, requiring £13 million annually to maintain its helicopters and rapid response vehicles.
Kate Thomas, Wales Air Ambulance's regional fundraising manager, expressed her admiration: "It is always wonderful to hear of past patients taking on challenges to raise funds. Kenny has worked hard to build up his fitness, and we wish him the best of luck. His efforts help us continue to be there for the people of Wales."
The Wales Air Ambulance operates through a unique partnership between the third sector and public sector, with NHS consultants and critical care practitioners providing advanced care, including anaesthesia and blood transfusions, at incident scenes. As a pan-Wales service, its crews travel across the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Kenny's journey from accident victim to ultramarathon runner highlights the vital role of emergency medical services and the power of community support in recovery and fundraising efforts.
