The Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) Charity is challenging the people of South East Wales to take part in a virtual run, improving their health and well-being while raising money to help introduce a 24/7 air ambulance operation.

This virtual challenge can be run, or walked, from any location. It can be completed on a race track, in the gym or even when walking the dog. This means that participants get to complete the challenge, in a set timescale, at their own pace.

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity has launched its ‘My Air Miles’ challenge where people, regardless of their level of fitness, can take part and fundraise for the Charity. There are three distances to choose from, 25 miles, 50 miles or 100 miles. The sign-up fee is £14 for each distance.

Once signed up, participants have the entire month of March to cover their chosen distance and are required to log their mileage via a mobile app or a log sheet.

Those who reach their milestone distances will be rewarded with a medal and certificate. In addition, people who raise £50 through sponsorship will receive a Wales Air Ambulance running vest and those who reach £100 will be entered into a draw to win a three-night stay at Bluestone, a prize kindly donated by the Pembrokeshire-based resort.

Catrin Hall, the Charity’s South East Wales Community Coordinator, said: “Our medics clock up hundreds of miles a year from their clinical shifts alone and this was the inspiration for our virtual run. It doesn’t matter what your level of capability is, whether you run or walk, the challenge is flexible and suitable for everybody. Walking and running are both great forms of cardiovascular exercise, so the virtual run is an ideal way of staying active.

“The money raised from the ‘My Air Miles’ challenge will go towards our ambition of introducing a 24/7 operation in 2020. Our lifesaving service currently operates from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week but we would like to be on standby day and night for the people of Wales. To achieve this, we need to raise £8 million every year.”

For more information about the ‘My Air Miles’ challenge, and to sign up, visit www.walesairambulance.com/myairmiles.