A GRATEFUL man who nearly died in a car crash has taken part in the air ambulance charity’s #40for40 Challenge raising almost £2,000 for the service he credits with saving his life.
Guy Watt has been passionate about fund-raising for the local air ambulance ever since the accident in 2014 when he suffered multiple life-threatening injuries when his car aquaplaned, rolled and hit a tree.
The crew got to Guy in just seven minutes and then began the process of saving his life – which is why the Rugby resident has been extremely motivated to raise vital funds for the charity ever since.
The 49-year-old was recently at the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance base at Coventry Airport talking about his incredible survival story to news reporters as the lifesaving service undertook their 40,000th mission.
And this was when he decided to undertake his latest fund-raising challenge.
Guy said: “When I heard the Director of Operations, Richard Clayton, express that the charity had faced a projected loss of over £2million due to the pandemic, I knew I had to do something more.”
He decided to sign up to the charity’s #40for40 Challenge and run ten miles a day around Draycote Water over four days. Guy found the challenge tough but was spurred on by his friend Steve Lamb running alongside him, and the generous donations that were coming in.
“The people’s support for me and the charity that is so close to my heart is humbling. The pain during the challenge was temporary, raising that money and seeing that figure grow was worth it,” he says.
With each air ambulance mission costing an average of £1,700, Guy has raised enough money to fund over four lifesaving missions since 2014 – and he refuses to stop there.
“You may see the helicopter fly overhead or the critical care car go past, and not give it another thought. But it’s going to save someone’s life, and one day maybe yours.
“The only way to make sure they can carry on delivering lifesaving critical care to patients like me is to keep supporting them, especially during a time they desperately need it.”
The charity’s Challenge Events Administrator, Laura Eaton, said the charity was grateful to Guy for all of his support and fund-raising throughout the years.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/guy-wat to donate to Guy’s fund-raising
The air ambulance needs continued support as it launches its brand new lifesaving helicopters early next year, to support the vital work they do visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.
