Cambridge's Chariots race to help fund children’s ambulance service

Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has been unveiled as the charity that will benefit from this year’s Chariots of Fire race.

The charity aims to raise funds for a new emergency children’s ambulance service, to provide the highest level of care for the region’s sickest children.

The service could benefit 1,700 patients a year.

Shelly Thake, ACT’s CEO, said: “Adults and new-born babies in our region who need intensive care treatment for complex conditions are blue-lighted by a dedicated, specialist ambulance service to the most appropriate hospital.

Surprisingly, there is no such service in our region that can specifically provide intensive care for critically ill children.

“To fund this service, we are relying on public donations and if every team participating in the 2019 Chariots of Fire race raised a minimum of £300, together we could get a new emergency children’s ambulance on the road.

"Double this and we could fully support the project by funding two children’s ambulances.

"This would effectively provide an intensive care unit on wheels to keep children alive during transfers, ensuring that they survive long enough to get to Addenbrooke’s.”

Chariots of Fire is organised by Hewitsons Charitable Trust.

Race director Charles Hewitson said: “I am delighted that Chariots of Fire will provide the stage for local organisations, colleges and supporters to join together and raise money for this deserving cause.”

This year’s race is on Sunday, September 22. Team registrations close on September 18. Enter at chariots-of-fire.co.uk.

Last week, a cheque for £71,156 raised at the 2018 race was handed to Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) to benefit the High Sheriff’s Award Scheme.