Beeline: Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Magazine, Spring 2016

how people help
According to Sam, there were many challenges along
the way: “Cycling 100+ miles each day and then getting
back on the bike the following morning (with some
rather sore parts) proved extremely difficult. However, the
biggest challenge of all was climbing the Kirkstone Pass
in the Lake District, which consisted of cycling for 1 mile
while climbing 1,000ft at a 20 per cent gradient. This was
also the most memorable moment when we reached the
top. It was simply unforgettable.”
The group received a fantastic amount of support from
local businesses who contributed towards supplies during
the trip. Family, friends and work colleagues played a big
part in encouraging others to donate. In total, the team
raised more than £8,000, of which £4,065.48 was received
by the Charity. A great achievement and a very big thank
you from us all!
South to north
Sixteen-year-old Matt Kosinski took on the Lands End to
John O’Groats challenge last year. Cycling with his dad,
they set themselves a target of completing the ride as
close to 100 hours from start to finish. Matthew started
training at the beginning of the year and as soon as he
had finished taking his GCSEs, the challenge began.
Matt Kosinski
and his dad took
the LEJOG route,
raising £1,609
for DSAA
“I’ve seen the air ambulance attending incidents on a
couple of occasions. When I discovered that it receives no
direct funding from the Government, I wanted to help.
When the day arrived we set off at 8.00am. The weather
was sunny and not too windy but we got off to a good
start and completed the 178 miles from Lands End to
Weston-Super-Mare.
“Day two involved cycling from Weston to Wigan, a
total of 203 miles in some wet and windy weather. A
pit-stop just north of Gloucester allowed us to change
our clothes as we were soaked through. We arrived just
before 10.00pm. At 7.00am the following morning we
started our trip from Wigan to Edinburgh. The 197-mile
trip saw us cross the Scottish border at Gretna Green,
climb the Southern Uplands before taking a brief stop to
take in the scenery. Luckily the last part of the day was
predominately downhill.
“Our penultimate day was spent cycling from
Edinburgh to Inverness; a total of 162 miles. It was hot
when we left just before 8.00am and we were beginning
to be rather weary. We crossed the Forth Road Bridge and
it was a fairly hilly route from there up to Perth. After a
break we continued to Inverness, crossing the Grampian
Mountains, which were really tough!
Finally, our last day; 122 miles from Inverness to John
O’Groats. We got off to an early start (6.00am) as the
weather forecast for the day was not good. Just after
Helmsdale, the wind picked up to 25mph and with either
a headwind or crosswind, it was hard going. By the time
we reached our destination, the wind was up to 45mph
but thankfully we had made it!
It ended up taking 104 hours to complete the ride
from the time we set off, to the time we arrived in John
O’Groats; just a few hours short of our target. With
support from our friends and family we managed to raise
£1,609 for DSAA.”
What a magnificent effort! Thank you Matthew!
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance @dsairambulance 31