Darren Briggs, Ascona’s chief executive, is off to Morocco for a five-day hike across the desert to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.
The 100km (62 mile) trek will see Briggs and six others traverse the Sahara taking in sand dunes, rocky trails and exposed plateaus, with temperatures ranging from 9C to 30C. The hikers will cover up to 34km (21 miles) in a single day as part of the inaugural Wales Air Ambulance Sahara Trek.
Briggs, himself a trained helicopter pilot, is Wales Air Ambulance’s first ever business ambassador, while Pembrokeshire-based Ascona has committed £1m for the charity and is almost midway to that target, with over £450,000 already raised.
In recognition of Ascona’s generosity, Wales Air Ambulance has emblazoned the firm’s logo on the tail fin of one of its helicopters. The charity has to fundraise £13m a year to keep its choppers flying and rapid-response vehicles on the road, and donations for Briggs’ Sahara challenge can be made via his Just Giving page.
Briggs himself comments: “I’ve always believed that the best challenges are the ones that push you beyond your comfort zone, and trekking 100km across the Sahara certainly does that.
“Getting fitter has become an important part of my life over the past few years, but this challenge is about much more than personal fitness. Wales Air Ambulance is a cause I care deeply about and, as its first Business Ambassador, I’m proud to be able to support them in this way.
“The trek will test us physically and mentally, but we’ll be encouraging each other along the way. If we can turn that determination and effort into essential funds and greater awareness of the charity’s incredible work, it will all be worthwhile.”
Gail Windley, head of fundraising at Wales Air Ambulance says: “Taking on the Sahara is no small feat, and we are hugely grateful to everyone who has committed their time, energy, and determination to raise funds for our charity.
“Every step they take across the desert will help ensure our crews can continue delivering advanced critical care to people across Wales, whenever and wherever they are needed.”
