Runners set to go the extra mile for Wiltshire Air Ambulance

A 25-strong team of fundraising runners are set to take part in Sunday's Swindon Half Marathon to raise funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Laura Honour, 38, of Swindon has completed four half marathons and the London Marathon, but this will be her first time running the new route of the Swindon Half.

Laura, a complaints handler, said: “I want to run the Swindon Half Marathon as it’s great to have this event in my home town and to be able to run locally where friends and family can also come along to support the runners and enjoy the event. It’s been a few years since I’ve run this distance after taking time out to start a family, but it’s been great to get back out running again and at the same time I am so pleased to be raising funds for a truly fantastic charity.

“My workplace chose Wiltshire Air Ambulance as a charity partner for the year a couple of years ago and my dad, Nick Fisher, also raised funds for them at the Bath Half Marathon and the Big Wheel cycling event. The service they provide is invaluable and the inspirational stories about them have really spurred me on to keep going with my training.”

Elizabeth Barrett, 27, and her partner, Adam Wainwright, 38, of Old Town, Swindon, have been training with their two young sons, pushing them in their double buggy on shorter training runs.

The couple ran the Swindon Half Marathon last year and Adam, who is Head of Commercial at Swindon Town Football Club, has raised funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance in the past by running three marathons in three days and climbing Mount Toubkal in Morocco.

Elizabeth, who works part-time in a restaurant, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance is the ambulance of the sky and the speed in which they can get to people and administer treatment can be the difference between life or death. I would encourage as many people as possible to support them and keep them flying!”

Adam said: “I said last year’s Swindon Half would be my last half marathon but then Wiltshire Air Ambulance came calling and I like to help the charity in my own little way. If there is some pain along the way, so be it! The service that Wiltshire Air Ambulance provides is immense and everyone at the charity works incredibly hard to make it a service that this county can be truly proud of. Lizzie and I hope to raise over £2,000 and we are well on course.”

Kenresa Stratford, Fundraising and Events Coordinator at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We wish Laura, Elizabeth, Adam and all Team WAA runners in the New Swindon Half Marathon the best of luck as they make their way round this new and exciting course. 

“We’ve really encouraged our runners to get to know each other ahead of the day and some have trained together and have kept each other motivated through their training runs via our Running Community on Facebook. It’s been a pleasure to see the team come together to support each other. The funds they raise will help us to continue flying and saving lives.”