22 Apr 2014
On 20th -21st April, Jonathan Sinyor (12) and Jamie Fattal (13) played table tennis for two days in aid of London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London. The boys estimate they have raised close to £4,000 during the Easter break.
The two Day Table Tennis Marathon at London Jewish Cultural Centre in North London was inspired by a five-day adult world record for playing table tennis non-stop. The fundraising event was inspired by the boys’ meeting with boxer Mark Prince, whose son was stabbed outside his school.
“In honour of his son, Mark created an anti-knife crime foundation, which works with London's Air Ambulance so that if anyone is stabbed and seriously injured, the helicopter could get there faster and save more lives,” said the boys, who met the founder of Kiyan Prince Foundation in their local boxing gym.
Jonathan and Jamie are determined to raise money for London’s Air Ambulance to help the charity acquire an urgently needed second helicopter and cover the costs of running the additional aircraft. “Jamie and I decided together to help to raise money towards a second helicopter so that a city like London which covers a huge area can offer a great service to anyone unfortunate enough to need urgent medical attention,” said Jonathan.
The two boys visited London’s Air Ambulance prior to their fundraising. “After we had visited the helipad and met the team, we found out that the doctors and paramedics at London’s Air Ambulance work 12-hour shifts. We both want to work for this service one day so the 2 day challenge will be preparing us,” said Jamie.
“We are twelve and thirteen years old so we have set ourselves a high target to try to challenge ourselves. If you don’t challenge yourself, you don’t know how far you can go. You have to do the best in your ability,” said Jonathan.
“We will make a serious difference to the way injured people are looked after. In the Budget, the Government has said it will contribute to a second helicopter, but it can't pay for all of it, or for it to be maintained. With a second helicopter, London's Air Ambulance could reach a further 400 patients each year by helicopter.”
