Leighton Buzzard fundraiser takes on 1,000km running challenge for The Air Ambulance Service
A Leighton Buzzard man is putting his best foot forward in 2026 by taking on an incredible 1,000km running challenge to raise vital funds for The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS).
Lee Newman, 44, who works as a warehouse operative, began his year-long fundraising challenge in January and is aiming to average around 85km each month to reach his ambitious target by the end of the year. So far, Lee has already completed an impressive 210km, putting him firmly on track to achieve his goal.
The fundraiser decided to take on the challenge to help keep the charity’s lifesaving helicopters flying after seeing first-hand just how important the service is.
A lifelong motorsport fan, Lee regularly volunteers as a marshal at Silverstone Circuit. During one race weekend last September, he witnessed a helicopter being called into action when a fellow marshal suffered a medical emergency and needed to be airlifted from the track.
Lee said: “I know how important The Air Ambulance Service is and how much people rely on them. After seeing someone I was working with get flown, it really brought home how important it is to support them.”
Lee only discovered running later in life but quickly realised the benefits it brought both physically and mentally.
He added: “I’ve only really found myself running these past few years but it really helps clear my head. For a guy in his mid-forties, I think I’m in better shape than I expected to be!”
As someone who regularly supports charitable causes, the dad-of-two hopes his challenge will not only raise vital funds but also encourage others to consider fundraising in their own way.
With more than three-quarters of his run still ahead of him, Lee remains determined to keep up the pace and cross the 1,000km finish line before the end of the year.
If you’d like to donate and support Lee’s challenge, visit: The 1000km challenge
The Air Ambulance Service receives no government funding for its operations and relies on the generosity of supporters and fundraisers like Lee to continue delivering lifesaving care to those in urgent need. The charity has also introduced its ‘Big Bases Appeal’, a campaign to help fund two new airbases that will allow crews to continue to provide critical pre-hospital care at the scene of the incident.
Learn more by visiting: https://theairambulanceservice.org.uk/
