A record number of participants dazzled The Royal Isle of Wight County Show Ground on Saturday 5 October at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Dash in the Dark.
500 people filled the 5km route in their funkiest fancy dress, neon face-paints and fluorescent glow-sticks to support their local air ambulance. Participants were treated to performances by Raw Samba and Fat Samba as they made their way around the route.
So far, more than £17,000 has been raised through ticket sales and sponsorships, with every penny going towards bringing life-saving care to critically ill and injured patients in the region.
Keith Wilson, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Director of Income and Engagement, said:
“This is our third time hosting Dash in the Dark to the Isle of Wight, and every year it gets bigger and better. We are incredibly grateful to the record number of people who ran and walked their way around our 5km course – many with dogs and buggies – and the crowds of people who came to support them. Every penny raised will give our next patient the best chance of survival and recovery.”
Around £200,000 has been raised since the first Dash in 2019 – enough to fund 57 life-saving missions.
The pilots, paramedics, doctors and dispatchers have responded to more than 1,800 emergency missions so far this year.
The charity recently launched its largest fundraising appeal in its 17-year history – Operation Airbase – an appeal to relocate its airbase and headquarters to Southampton, cutting down its flight time to the entire Island to just 10 minutes.
Registration for next year’s Dash in the Dark is now open. Early bird tickets available until 31 December 2024.
