By 
A CASTLEDERG teacher has raised more than £2,500 for Air Ambulance NI following her ‘three mile run a day and dryathlon’ challenge’ over the month of June.
Marcella Robinson, who works as a music teacher, decided to take on the challenge during the Covid-19 lockdown period as a way of maintaining a routine to her days working from home as well as raising funds for charity.
Marcella chose to do her three-mile run and dryathlon virtual fundraiser for the Air Ambulance NI service as she knows only too well what it is like to have a loved one experience a trauma injury.
She said, “My father had a motorcycle accident 30 years ago and he sustained life changing injuries but of course we didn’t have our wonderful air ambulance at that time. I feel it is of vital importance that we continue to support and to hold onto it now.”
Marcella embraced the personal challenge from the beginning of June and was inspired to keep going as the donations flowed in via her Just Giving page.
“When I started off on June 1, it was late in the evening as it was such a warm day, and I thought to myself, I must be mad! However, as the days went on and the money was rolling in, I felt determined – some may say ‘thran’ – and knew that the job would be done rain, hail or snow.”
However, this is not the first time Marcella has supported Air Ambulance NI – in early March, before Covid-19 took hold of the entire world, she held ‘An Evening of Music’ in which her music students performed in Derg Parish Church which raised £870.
Damien McAnespie, Air Ambulance NI Fundraising Manager, said, “The past number of months have been difficult for everyone and it’s important that all of us look after ourselves. Any form of exercise is one fantastic way to do this and the way Marcella set herself this daily challenge combined with a fundraiser for Air Ambulance NI is fantastic.”
Air Ambulance NI is the local charity that provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland, together with its partners at the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day.
Marcella urged other individuals, businesses and community groups to support Air Ambulance NI now or in the future.
“It’s so important, particularly to those in rural areas, where the helicopter can get to within 25 minutes. That response time is crucial in saving a person’s life or limb.”
She concluded by thanking of all of those who have supported her over the past few weeks.
“The support has been tremendous. I never set a target, it set itself.”
• For more information on how you can support Air Ambulance NI, please click here.
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