Mold Teacher Takes On Cycle Challenge For Helicopter Charity
In 2005 a teacher from Mold was involved in a rally car accident, and he now is taking on a cross-Wales cycling challenge to fundraise for the helicopter charity who came to his aid.
Mike Hughes has been raising money for Wales Air Ambulance since being involved in a crash during the Cambrian Rally, and he is now preparing for his next grueling fundraiser.
In June, Mike and a group of friends have set themselves the ambitious challenge to cycle between the Wales Air Ambulance airbases, finishing at WAA’s new home in Llanelli, in just 24 hours.
The group will cycle through the day and night to meet their target time about raise money for a charity close to Mike’s heart.
Mike has been fundraising for the charity since they airlifted him in November 2005.
Whilst acting as co-driver in the Cambrian Rally, his car plunged 30 feet down a ravine, and he suffered severe injuries. After he was freed from the vehicle, WAA flew him to specialist care as quickly as possible.
Mike said: “After the accident I made a promise to myself, to do what I can, when I can.
“When you realise how lucky you have been; you realise what a difference the service makes.”
Four months after the accident, Mike managed to recover enough to return to teaching, although he was wearing a leg brace.
Since then, Mike has been involved in a variety of other fundraisers. Including selling branded windscreen sunstrips to rally competitors, completing sponsored runs, as well as competing in a charity night rally with a WAA paramedic, Ian Binnington.
Mike’s creative fundraising even took place at his wedding, using charity pin badges as wedding favours and asking guests to donate to Wales Air Ambulance.
Mike helps the charity in any way he can, speaking at charity evenings, making an appearance in a documentary re-creating the incident and being involved in Wales Air Ambulance promotional material.
The latest of Mike’s fundraiser, the Base to Base 24 challenge, will take him on a picturesque route through Wales, stopping at each of the charity’s airbases between Caernarfon and Llanelli.
The keen cyclists will ride over 200 miles in 24 hours to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance, helping the charity to raise the £6 million needed every year to fund its operations.
Mike said: “My life could have been very different if it wasn’t for the quick response of the Wales Air Ambulance, and because of that the charity will always be close to my heart.
“If I can’t raise money for the charity, then I will help by talking about my accident, and hope that it inspires others to run an event or even just place a few pennies in one of the Wales Air Ambulance charity boxes!”
If you would like to sponsor Mike on his Base to Base 24 challenge, text ‘WAAH61 £5’ to 70070.
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