This time next year Cambridge will be helping to save lives
This weekend would have been the iconic Chariots of Fire relay race across the city centre. To mark the occasion, the new charity partnership, East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), would like to highlight the importance of the annual event in supporting local causes, and celebrate the £1.48 million pounds which has been raised through the event since 1992.
By taking part in Chariots of Fire next year, the teams will be funding vital training for people in Cambridgeshire to develop life-saving CPR skills, in partnership with EAAA. And it’s not too early to start supporting this cause. Anyone missing this year’s event can take action to start supporting this project now, ahead of registrations for the 2021 race opening in April.
£97,500 is EAAA’s fundraising target for Chariots of Fire, to help the charity deliver more life-saving training across the county. A Just Giving page is now live to kick-start this fundraising, in light of this year’s event being postponed due to the Coronavirus.
To help, head to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/chariotsoffire-virtual-2020
East Anglian Air Ambulance can be tasked to any kind of life-changing or life-threatening medical emergency, however cardiac arrests, which happen at home, at work or out in the community, are the most common type of incident the crews attend. Cardiac arrests can happen in people of all ages, for a range of different medical reasons.
In this situation, early bystander CPR and use of a defibrillator, before the emergency services arrive, make the biggest impact on that person’s chance of survival. The charity is passionate about teaching as many people as possible these life-saving skills so that more people survive a cardiac arrest.
Mark Milsom, Critical Care Paramedic and First Aid Training Instructor at EAAA said: “By having another full-time trainer and additional equipment, we will be able to help many more people across the county to learn these skills and help to save more lives. Our crews attended 77 cardiac arrests in Cambridgeshire alone last year and we’re passionate about doing everything we can to help these patient’s get the best care and the best outcome possible. By supporting Chariots of Fire, you will be helping to save lives in Cambridgeshire.”
Chariots of Fire Race Director, Charles Hewitson said: “This is an extraordinary time and I would like to thank all our supporters and regular participants for their understanding regarding the postponement of Chariots of Fire this year. I am delighted that next year, all being well, we will once again provide the stage for local organisations, colleges and supporters to join together and raise money for this deserving cause and CPR training campaign.”
Next year’s race is planned to take place on Sunday 19th September 2021 and will start and end on Queens’ Green. Team registrations will go live in April 2021.
To view a video on how supporters are already preparing for 2021 click here
Chariots of Fire is one of the region’s longest running fundraising events and is organised by Hewitsons Charitable Trust, the charity established and supported by solicitor firm Hewitsons LLP.