18 Aug 2023
To raise money for London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s Up Against Time appeal, Matt Wood is attempting to secure the Guinness World Record for ‘fastest time for a marathon in a 3D aircraft’.
“It all started when our organisation (Millwood Servicing) chose London’s Air Ambulance Charity to be our charity for the next three years,” said Matt.
“We’re a London-based organisation and most of our staff live and socialise in the area. A few people in the team had firsthand experiences of the air ambulance too, so it was a nice fit.”
Matt and Millwood have committed to raise money for London’s Air Ambulance Charity from 2023 until 2026. The funds raised in the first year will contribute to our Up Against Time appeal, as we need to raise an additional £15 million by autumn 2024 to replace our helicopter fleet.
To kickstart their fundraising, Matt has signed up to run the London marathon in a 3D model of our very own helicopter.
“We wanted it to be more sensational than just running the marathon and going for the Guinness World Record does that. We’re hoping it will get the charity a lot more exposure too.”
The current Guinness World Record for fastest time for a marathon in a 3D aircraft is four hours and three minutes.
“That was an incredible effort,” said Matt. “I’m going to aim to make it in three hours and 45 minutes, but the most important thing is getting exposure for the charity.”
To amplify the fundraising, sponsors were found for the model – known as #HugotheHelo – who each have committed to raising £5,000 during the year for London’s Air Ambulance Charity, in return for their logos being displayed on the side of Hugo.
To spread awareness of our life-saving charity, gain publicity for the sponsors and help Londoners become more familiar with Hugo, Matt has signed up to 46 running events before March 2024. You can see the list of events left to go at the bottom of this story.
“There is a tremendous footfall of people at these events and we hope they’ll all see Hugo; gaining exposure for the charity, sponsors, costume and campaign. There’s a QR code on the side of him if anyone wants to make a donation when they see us too.
“It’s also an opportunity for me to get used to the running technique needed when inside the model. It’s a little restrictive!”
Matt and #HugotheHelo will be touring London over the coming months, running at various events across the city. Can you visit one of the events and spot them?
Within the first year of the three, Matt is hoping to raise an outstanding £60,000 for London’s Air Ambulance. We’re so grateful to him, Millwood and their sponsors and wish him all the luck for the Guiness World Record.
Keep your eyes out for Matt and Hugo – if you spot them in the capital, please share on social media and help #HugotheHelo reach more Londoners. You can find them running at:
23 August: Chase the Sun Wimbledon 5km (pm)
6 September: Chase the Sun Hyde Park 10k (pm)
16 September: Battersea Half Marathon
20 September: Chase the Sun QE Park 5km (pm)
24 September: Run Thorpe Park 10k
27 September: Chase the Sun Battersea Park 10k (pm)
30 September: Hyde Park 5k
7 October: Greenwich Park 10k
11 October: Battersea Park moon run
14 October: Victoria Park 5K
21 October: Battersea Park
28 October: Lee Valley VeloPark 10k
12 November: Victoria Park 5K
19 November: Hampton Court Palace
26 November: Regents Park
29 November: Chase the Moon Battersea Park 10k (pm)
2 December: Victoria Park Half Marathon
6 December: Chase the Moon QE Park 5k
9 December: Battersea Park Half Marathon
16 December: QE Park Oly Park 5k
20 December: Chase the Moon Battersea Park 10k (pm)
13 January: Chase the Sun QE Park 5km
21 January: Finsbury Park
24 January: Chase the Moon Battersea Park
14 February: Chase the Moon Olympic Park
24 February: Battersea Park
28 February: Chase the Moon Battersea Park
3 March: High Performance Olympic Park
27 March: Chase the Moon Battersea Park
10 April: Chase the Sun Olympic Park