A team from North West Air Ambulance Charity, including three critical care paramedics, a doctor and an engineer, took part in the Northwich Krazy Races Soapbox Derby on Sunday 16th July.
Since the beginning of the year, the crew have been building their helicopter soapbox kart, which they have paid for out of their own pockets.
All the teams participating in this year’s Soapbox Derby performed a 20-second choreographed dance routine before racing down the streets of Northwich.
The North West Air Ambulance Charity team broke the course record of 35.7 seconds on their first run down the course, with a time of 35.43 seconds and again on their third run with 33.98. The helicopter kart was also voted 1st prize for the favourite soapbox kart by spectators throughout the day.
Danny Daynes, Cheshire Regional Fundraiser from North West Air Ambulance Charity, said: “I was so thrilled to find out North West Air Ambulance Charity had been chosen as the charity for Northwich Krazy Races, and the event itself did not disappoint.
“Members of our crew jumped at the chance to be involved with the day, building a soapbox that they paid for themselves so every penny raised at the event can be spent on our lifesaving missions. The North West Air Ambulance Charity isn’t part of the NHS. And we don’t get any government funding.
“We rely solely on the generosity of our supporters. I cannot thank the whole team enough at Northwich Krazy Races for all their support along with all the soapbox teams that fundraised for us on the day. It was a fantastic event. We cannot wait for our helicopter soapbox to make another appearance later this year at Lancaster Krazy Races.”
Since the event started in 2018, Krazy Races has raised over £40,000 for local charities; while backing each headline charity partner leading up to each event.
In January, the Krazy Races team announced the North West Air Ambulance Charity as their headline charity partner for the Northwich soapbox derby.
Sarah Belcher, Founder & Creator of Krazy Races: “Our Krazy Races events are all about raising as much money for local charities as possible while giving families a fantastic free day. We work closely with our headline charity partner to help integrate them into the heart of the event, giving them as many opportunities as possible to raise as much as they can!”
The North West Air Ambulance Charity’s helicopters and critical care vehicles operate 365 days a year. Their highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics on board provide enhanced pre-hospital care and hospital transfers to patients across the entire Northwest region each year – an area covering 5,500 square miles and over 8 million people.
Since its launch in 1999, the North West Air Ambulance Charity has been called to over 31,000 missions across the region, an average of around seven times a day. Just as the many critically ill and injured patients would not have survived without the service the charity provides; the North West Air Ambulance Charity would not be here without the support of its community of fundraisers and partners.
The charity is not part of the NHS and doesn’t receive any government funding. They rely completely on public and corporate donations to carry on saving lives. The North West Air Ambulance Charity must raise over £12 million every year to continue its lifesaving service. For more information on the North West Air Ambulance Charity or to donate, please visit www.nwairambulance.org.uk or call 0800 587 4570.