AN Air Ambulance paramedic from Malvern is leading a team of nine colleagues on a gruelling half marathon to raise much needed funds for the vital life-saving charity.

Jim Hancox and eight fellow crew members based at the Strensham Air Ambulance station will be tackling the Adidas Half Marathon at Silverstone race track in Northampton on Sunday (March 15).

They are hoping to raise £2,000 by completing the 13-mile course.

This will be the first time the majority of the crew have competed in a marathon race, but they have been training hard and Mr Hancox is confident they will be successful on the day.

“With so many people generously supporting Midlands Air Ambulance, we thought it was time we did our bit for the charity. The team has been training hard and everyone is now looking forward to the big event,” he said. “For some of the team it will be a marathon first. I don’t think anyone is looking for personal best times, it is more important for us to complete the three laps of the race track and raise as much money as possible for our charity.”

The Midlands Air Ambulance costs £5.6m a year to run and does not receive any funding from the Government, NHS or Lottery, relying heavily on fundraising and donations.

Anyone who would like to support the aircrew’s effort can do so online at www.justgiving.com/strenshamaircrew