Twenty-eight runners from across Essex and Hertfordshire have raised nearly £60,000 for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance by participating in major races over the past few weeks. The group, consisting of former patients and family members who have been supported by the air ambulance, collectively covered 510.9 miles. Among them, 10 ran the London Marathon, three took part in the Brighton Marathon, and 15 completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
Personal Stories of Courage
One of the runners, Jeff Cross, 53, from Cheshunt, ran the London Marathon in memory of his wife Joanne. He raised funds hoping that “other families might be spared the heartbreak we now live with every day.” On January 25, 2025, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance attended Jeff’s home and did everything possible to help his wife, but tragically she did not survive. Since then, the charity has continued to support the family “through our darkest days,” as Jeff describes.
Brothers Raise Over £20,000
Other notable runners include brothers Mike, 18, and Liam Angland, 24, from Wembley in London, who raised over £20,000. Nearly two years ago, Mike was out with friends when he tripped and fell onto a live train track, going into cardiac arrest. His friend Dara immediately jumped down and dragged him off the tracks, while other friends started CPR, saving Mike’s life. When the critical care team arrived, Mike’s heart had restarted, and he was stable enough to be transferred to hospital, making a full recovery.
Paramedic’s Personal Challenge
Rosie Dodd-Jones, a critical care paramedic at Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon. She said: “I decided to run for two reasons: to give back to the charity I am lucky enough to work for, and to challenge myself. I had been struggling with my fitness and mental health, and this gave me an opportunity to work on both of those things. The training was hard in the winter months, but it gave me important headspace that’s very much needed in the role that I’m in. The driving force was knowing that no matter how difficult the runs felt, it was tiny in comparison to what our patients and loved ones feel when we enter their lives. Race day was incredible! The atmosphere going around the route was so supportive and fun, the sights were epic, and seeing the charity team cheering me on really boosted my spirits.”
Charity’s Gratitude
Charlotte Evans, senior fundraising co-ordinator at Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the efforts of all our supporters. To take on challenges like this after all they’ve been through is so impressive. The money they’ve raised is invaluable to us. As a charity we rely solely on donations to keep our helicopters flying, so efforts like this make all the difference.”
For more information on Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, please visit ehaat.org.
