Life-saving marathons raise over £24,000 since 2017

Kevin has always been an endurance athlete and has undertaken many epic challenges himself, including long-distance cycling and walking events. He has even cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Kevin is passionate about empowering others to improve their fitness and wellbeing and his marathon events are welcoming, encouraging and inclusive, and, with fundraising in aid of EAAA, they are also life-saving.

“I started because I have loved and lived the sport for many years and wanted to put something back into it and raise money for a good cause,” Kevin says.

The two annual marathons in aid of EAAA covered routes along the Norfolk coast and the Marriott’s Way. “I have a love of the Norfolk coast; it’s a great base for training. The Marriott’s Way is a lovely route and it’s delightful to be able to run all the way from Norwich to Aylsham,” Kevin adds.

Before the pandemic, 500 people would take part and, since 2020, Kevin still has seen 300 and 400 people register for each event with a percentage of the entrance fee being donated to EAAA. Volunteers from EAAA eagerly turn out to support each marathon with tasks such as marshalling, road crossings and refreshments. “The volunteers have been absolutely essential in helping to deliver a safe event. The runners have really appreciated all their efforts too.”

EAAA receives no regular government funding and relies almost entirely on the kind and generous support of the public to deliver and develop the 24/7 life-saving service. The money raised in aid of EAAA by Kevin and marathon participants since 2017 has provided 24/7 critical care to some of the region’s most seriously ill and injured people. In October, we were pleased to welcome Kevin and team to Helimed House, EAAA’s Norwich base, to thank him for his amazing support.

Luke Abendroth, Corporate Fundraising Lead at EAAA, says: “It’s been a real pleasure to see the positive impact Kevin has made by holding two Norfolk marathons each year since 2017. We are so grateful for the incredible contribution to EAAA over the last eight years, which has saved lives by ensuring seriously ill and injured people across our region receive urgent out-of-hospital care when they need it most.”

Kevin adds, “I have so many positive memories. In addition to giving people opportunities and seeing their love of the sport grow, it’s been a real privilege to contribute to the work of EAAA – being able to put something back into our community is wonderful.”