Air Ambulance boss embarks on epic fundraising trek

The chief executive of The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) is embarking on a 197km (122m) trek to raise funds for the live-saving charity.

Peta Wilkinson will undertake the Camino De Santiago - a collection of pilgrim routes across Europe to a cathedral in Spain.

Ms Wilkinson is due to set off from Porto in Portugal on Sunday before spending eight days completing the walk in honour of a late friend.

She hopes to raise at least £2,000.

TAAS, which operates the national Children's Air Ambulance, the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, relies on voluntary donations.

The charity said it hoped people would rally behind Ms Wilkinson's efforts.

To prepare for her trek, Ms Wilkinson said she had been logging up to 15,000 steps daily.

She will be walking an average of 30km (18) each day until she reaches the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia.

Ms Wilkinson said: "Although this is quite a feat, I love Spain and I am really looking forward to taking on this challenge, in memory of [my friend] Nick, to support such an amazing organisation which saves lives on a daily basis."

Last year, Mr Wilkinson trekked across the Sahara Desert and completed the London Marathon in her efforts to raise money for the TAAS.

The charity said: "Peta's endeavour serves as a powerful reminder of the impact individuals can make when they take on a challenge to support a worthy cause."

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