27 Jan 2025
Briony’s year of ultra challenges in aid of EAAA
Briony Chandler from Norfolk marked 2024 in a unique way by completing a series of ultra challenges to raise money in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). From 50km ultra marathons in the soaring heat, to climbing the peak of Snowdon in mist and everything in between, Briony embraced each run and climb to help save the lives of others. In this article, Briony explains more.
“I decided to support EAAA as I’d done Only The Brave (EAAA’s flagship mud obstacle course) in 2023 and wanted to continue to support the charity. I knew I had some races booked in, but it gave me the drive to book in some extras. Seeing donations come trickling gave me the motivation I needed to keep training. I do most of my training runs with my daughter, Mavis, in the running buggy so it can be challenging on some days to organise a run, but knowing every step was for such a worthy cause made it worthwhile. Obviously, with the current economic climate, asking for donations can be difficult, but friends and family have been generous, and seem to resonate that you never know when you may need an air ambulance.
I started my ‘Running Miles’ fundraising page the day after Trek 24 in June, but previous to this I had already run a few races including a half and a full marathon earlier in the year.
The races I’d entered were smaller to begin with – but soon escalated to a couple of ultras. I figured that the bigger the challenge, the more likely people would be willing to donate. The longest challenge in terms of time was actually EAAA’s Trek24 – Norfolk, which was the most wonderful, if a little hot, day out! I would definitely like to do Trek 24 again in the future.
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The hardest event was the Boudicca Way 50km. This was my first ultra and was on a scorching hot day. Running my furthest distance in 27-degree heat was definitely not ideal, but my husband greeted me just before the finish line and handed me Mavis, so I could run over the line cuddling her, which suddenly made me forget about the last six plus hours of sweat and discomfort!
My favourite event would be a close call between Trek 24 and climbing Snowdon. I completed both with my very good friend, Maxine, who has also done a bit of fundraising for EAAA. Trek 24 was a gorgeous summer day, with beautiful views – and the support from the volunteers was incredible. Snowdon was quite the opposite! It was wet, cold and foggy, but the words of encouragement we received from other hikers, who seemed in awe to see two families trekking with toddlers on their backs, was amazing.
A memorable moment – probably for the wrong reasons – was when I completed the Snetterton 10km about ten days after the Boudicca ultra, and my feet were in quite a bit of discomfort. I’d taped them up for the 10km and remember taking my trainers off as soon as I got over the finish line as they were so sore. Perhaps not the wisest choice to have two races close to each other, but it served as a reminder for the good cause I was doing it for.
My proudest moment was definitely completing the Weavers Way 50km and knocking 45 minutes off my Boudicca time. I set off more confidently, having done the distance before, and really enjoyed the route. Again, I was greeted at the finish line by my husband and daughter, and we topped off the day with fish and chips on Cromer seafront!
In total, including the Trek24 fundraiser, and a small fundraiser on my Instagram page, has raised over £1,300, including GiftAid, in aid of EAAA.
We were invited to visit Helimed House, EAAA’s Norwich headquarters, in January, and it was a really eye-opening tour. We met the crew, one of the pilots, office staff and even got to sit in the helicopter. We were totally unaware that on days when the helicopter isn’t able to fly due to the weather, the crew can still be mobile with a car. The helicopter is kitted out to allow the doctors to perform so many different medical procedures and interventions to help save someone’s life. The crew were so friendly and knowledgeable; you can really tell that in an emergency they all help calm the situation with their gentle manner and professionalism.
I’d like to fundraise again in the future to hopefully raise in total enough to cover one call out which I believe is around £4,250. Whenever we see the air ambulance in the sky, it’s a reminder that I’ve done what I can to help someone out there that needs help.”
Get involved!
A huge thank you to Briony for her amazing, continued support. If Briony has inspired you to take on a fundraising adventure in aid of EAAA, take a look at our events to see all the ways you can get involved!
