Devon Air Ambulance launches new March March fundraiser

Supporters are ‘stepping up’ to help raise funds for the lifesaving service this March, just by going about their daily life.

Devon Air Ambulance’s (DAA) latest virtual event invites supporters to complete a 300,000-steps challenge throughout the month of March in aid of the life-savingservice.

300,000 steps are just shy of the recommended 10,000 steps a day for a moderately active adult (equivalent to around 5 miles per day). They can be clocked up at home or while out and about in the local area, alone or as part of a bubble.

It’s surprising how quickly the steps add up. Ordinary tasks such as doing the vacuuming, walking the dog, nipping to the shops or mowing the lawn all count towards each daily total.

Spread over the 31 days of March, this latest fundraiser is not a race and participants can complete the steps at their own pace. It’s not essential that the exact number of steps are achieved every 24 hours; you might choose to take a slightly longer walk when you have more time to spare at the weekend.

Sally Hilton, Head of Fundraising at Devon Air Ambulance said:

By taking part in our March March Challenge, you are helping us to reach an incident within minutes, so our team of critical care paramedics and doctors can deliver advanced skills and interventions on-scene.

The patients we assist are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.Your fundraising ensures we can continue to provide life-saving treatment to the people of Devon, your friends and family, in their hour of need.

The event is for people of all ages and abilities and is an opportunity to get involved in something that not only raises much-needed funds for your air ambulance but is also good for health and wellbeing. The March March Challenge brings greatbenefits for physical fitness, plus keeping active daily is a great way to look after mental health too. Regular exercise helps to relieve tension and stress, boostsphysical and mental energy and enhances well-being through the increased releaseof endorphins.

So, there’s every reason to put spring in your step and step up for DAA’s March March Challenge.

How to take part

Register for just £5 by visiting www.daat.org/the-march-march. Once signed up, each fundraiser will receive a digital fundraising pack and a free t-shirt, which is dispatched when the first fundraising donation is made.

As part of the registration process an individual fundraising page is set up for everyone taking part. This can be shared with friends and family and on social media pages.

There is also an exclusive Facebook Group, where Marchers can ask questions, share stories, pictures and progress, and get updates and motivational tips from fellow group members and the DAA team.