18 May 2023
Last year, Emily Guthrie – working as a Dispatcher with London Ambulance Service – signed up to run the London Marathon for London’s Air Ambulance Charity, but unfortunately was injured and unable to run.
We deferred her place for a year, during which Emily applied to work for the service and was hired as a Helipad Support Officer, working at our helipad atop The Royal London Hospital. Last month, alongside 63 other runners for London’s Air Ambulance Charity, she ran the full 26.2 miles and raised over £2,000.
“When I saw the job vacancy, I knew it was perfect – I wanted to get a bit more hands on and experience firsthand the operational side of emergency services,” said Emily. “I’m really enjoying working for the service and I really enjoyed raising money for the charity.
“The marathon was amazing, the atmosphere is indescribable. The first half flew by, I definitely think the atmosphere carried me. The second half was more of a mental challenge, but seeing colleagues and friends at the cheerpoints really picked me up.
“As I was running, I was telling myself that I wasn’t going to do it again. When I met my family and boyfriend at the finish line, the first thing I said was ‘never again!’. But then the next morning, I found myself signing up to the ballot!”
We’re so thankful for Emily’s fundraising efforts and wish her all the best in next year’s ballot.
As a Helipad Support Officer, Emily’s day-to-day responsibilities involve looking after our fleet of rapid response cars. This fleet currently stands at eight cars, but soon three more will be added. Emily makes sure the vehicles are serviced, any issues fixed and the cars are always ready for dispatch, meaning our advanced trauma team can get to the patient’s side as quickly as possible.
The other part of her role is the inventory of supplies – Emily makes sure all the equipment needed by the medics is ordered and available, and assists in the day-to-day checking of the medical bags we take to scene.
If you would like to take part in a challenge event – whether that be running, abseiling or even something more unusual – please get in contact with our Events Team today.