Ex-patient takes on London walking challenge for charity that saved his life

‘Miles for Missions’ is a new fundraising initiative for London’s Air Ambulance Charity. Created in response to fundraising difficulties brought about by the pandemic such as cancelled events, this is an activity that can take place anywhere at any time. 

The 116-mile distance challenge runs from 21st June until 20th September. The charity aims to raise £30,000 though the challenge - enough to fund 15 potentially lifesaving missions.  The charity is well on the way to achieving this with £27,000 already raised before the first steps have been taken.

To mark the launch of the new challenge, a group from the charity will be attempting to cover the whole distance in just one weekend.  Starting on Friday 25 June the team will walk around key London landmarks stretching from Canary Wharf in the East to RAF Northolt in the West and aim to finish the epic challenge by Sunday 27 June.  The group includes the charity’s CEO Jonathan Jenkins, Fire Officer Mick Horton, Dr Chloe Baker, and a former patient. Ten years on from his accident, Dan Hudson will be joining the team to raise money for the charity that saved his life.

Dan’s Story

In April 2011, Blackhealth resident Dan was cycling home from work and was 300 yards away from his house when he had his accident. He suffered multiple fractures to his left leg and pelvis, was bleeding severely and both his lungs had collapsed. The London’s Air Ambulance doctor and paramedic, arriving in a rapid response car, splinted his pelvis and leg and performed a thoracostomy, allowing his lungs to re-inflate, on scene. The team then escorted Dan to King’s College Hospital, sending a ‘code red’ request alerting the hospital to have blood ready upon arrival. Dan spent six weeks in a coma and five and a half months in hospital receiving medical care. He returned to work in January 2012. Ten years on he is joining London’s Air Ambulance’s new walking challenge, and has spoken of his gratitude to the life-saving charity. 

Dan Hudson said:

“The London's Air Ambulance team arrived on scene within minutes of my accident.  When I was bleeding at the side of the road they were able to perform advanced medical procedures that helped stabilise me and buy me time to get to hospital.  They were the first in a very long line of medics to come to my rescue. I am so grateful to them and want to do what I can to help raise vital funds so that the team can be there for other patients who need urgent medical care.”

Participants can walk or run alone or as part of a team, at any speed, anywhere and covering any distance with each journey. The charity has themed the event to be a ‘walk back in time’ and as participants count down their distance they will travel through time, celebrating the milestones of London’s life-saving service over its 32-year history, receiving themed playlists from the crew to listen to as they go.