Our supporters continue to inspire us with their kindness and generosity and, with the first of the 2024 Treks taking place on 27 April in Bedfordshire, we were excited to hear from one Trekker who has decided to give himself an extra challenge of carrying 24kg 24 kilometres!

39-year-old, ex-military Wil Collins from St Neots in Cambridgeshire saw the advert for Bedfordshire Trek 24 when he was scrolling through Instagram one evening and, as he is used to distance walking, thought ‘Why not!’ While he was in the army, Wil completed several multi-day, multi-week exercises but only one charity-based event, which was over 37 miles in boots while carrying 10kg. In 2024, he has decided to push himself even further, to raise money to save lives.

“I am a motorcyclist and a big bike off road adventurer, so I often find myself a long way from solid road. Thankfully I haven’t had to be part of a rescue, but I know of people that have and often the only way to get to them quickly is by air. An air ambulance has been a literal life-saver in so many instances that you can’t not appreciate what they do.” Wil explains.

“So, after discussing the initial idea of doing the walk with my partner,” Wil continues, “the rather large side of my brain that deals best with hard tasks and competition thought, this isn’t hard enough for me! This needs more, and the obvious (to me) next step was to make it sound good by adding another 24. This time 24kg on my back in a backpack. I have gone further with less weight, and carried more weight but for less distance, so surely this should be do-able!…”

“Knowing I am doing stuff to help keep East Anglian Air Ambulance in the sky feels great.”

Wil Collins

To help Wil prepare for the route, which will take him high up into the Chilterns through nature reserves and country parks, he has already kicked started his training and got on the road the day after he signed up.

“My training is going well,” he says, “but I need to remember not to go too fast too soon. I have done heavier, and further, but not both and that was also some time ago.”

Wil says he is looking forward to enjoying the views that Bedfordshire Trek 24 will offer, alongside talking to others along the way as they join forces in support of EAAA. “At the end, I’m looking forward to the (literal) weight falling off my shoulders!”

With an online fundraising page set up, Wil adds that any amount of money raised will help to save lives in the community. With over 1,900 people in need of EAAA’s life-saving care last year, this support really will help to give people the best chance of surviving and recovering from a life-threatening medical emergency.

“It’s brilliant to know the impact of the fundraising. I know that my next bike ride could go wrong at any point, and that could be out of my control. Knowing I am doing stuff to help keep East Anglian Air Ambulance in the sky feels great.”

200 people took part in last year’s Bedfordshire Trek 24 last year, raising an incredible £41,000, enough to fund eleven life-saving missions – and Wil can’t wait to be a part of this year’s Trek 24 community.

“I’m really looking forward to it. If you see me on the route, feel free to give words of encouragement…please, give words of encouragement. I will very much need them!”

Trek 24 covers some of the most beautiful areas of our region, so if you’re looking for a challenge and would like to be a part an incredible community of Trekkers, like Wil, sign up for one of this year’s events.

Trek 24 Bedfordshire, Saturday 27 April Trek 24 Suffolk, Saturday 18 May Trek 24 Norfolk, Sunday 23 June (includes a 2.4 mile accessible Trek perfect for families!)