A SIX-year-old fundraiser is going one step beyond for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Helicopter lover Alanna is set to walk the 16.6 miles from her home in Lee-on-the-Solent to University Hospital Southampton (UHS), in a bid to raise vital funds for her favourite charity.

During half term, on October 27, Alanna will be joined by her mum and dad as they leave the family home at 7am making her way through Stubbington, Titchfield, Parkgate, Bursledon, Bitterne and Portswood before arriving at her final stop approximately eight hours after she set off.

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Alanna has been captivated by the life-saving charity since she was given a tour of the yellow and green helicopter by Captain Dave Nicholls when it had to land near her grandma’s house.

She told the Daily Echo: "It was so amazing being shown around the helicopter by Captain Dave. Since then, I have wanted to raise more and more money to help the paramedics and doctors get to people and save lives.

"They might be going to your mummy, daddy, aunties, uncles, brothers, sisters or even your best friends. They are there when we need then every single day, even Christmas Day!

"I will probably be quite tired after my walk, but I know I will feel really happy about helping the air ambulance and the people who need it. I just want to raise as much money as I can to help them to save people's lives."

Daily Echo:

Captain Dave Nicholls added: "When I meet people after we have landed, they often talk about how much they appreciate what the Air Ambulance team do. I always make sure to tell them that the Air Ambulance team is so much bigger than just the people who fly on the helicopter. Without people like Alanna who raise money so that we can fly a medical team to people who need it, we couldn’t do what we do. Having met Alanna a number of times, I know what an awesome person she is, and I am sure she will put all of her effort into doing this for the Air Ambulance."

Alanna has already stomped past her target of £300 for her most recent challenge, raising £755. Her passion for the charity has already seen her raise more than £1,200 through a 13-mile walk in May this year and a jumble sale on her front lawn in June 2021.

Alanna has already garnered support from local businesses and her local MP Caroline Dinenage.

To support her on her walk, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/alannaswalk

 

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