Two consultants in emergency medicine, based in the west of Ireland, are encouraging people to bike or hike the Camino this April to raise funds for the ground services of the Irish Community Air Ambulance. The organisation has a team of Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders on the ground in Donegal, Mayo and Dublin.
The trip on the traditional Camino Frances, which travels from France to Spain, is due to take place from April 23rd to April 30th, 2023. It’s the second year of the event which exceeded all targets in 2022 and raised a massive €103,000.
All funds raised during the trip will be used to expand the organisation’s ground teams. The volunteers in Donegal and Mayo responded to more than 140 emergencies and serious incidents in 2022 including road traffic collisions and cardiac arrests over the festive period.
Dr Jason Horan is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Mayo University Hospital and volunteers his time with the Irish Community Air Ambulance. He said, “Medical emergencies and traumas happen without warning and in many instances miles from a hospital or critical care facility. We know that urgent medical attention gives people the very best chance of survival and that’s where we come in. We work closely with the National Ambulance Service and bring our critical care skills to the people that need it most. Cardiac arrests and road traffic collisions account for the majority of our taskings and there was no let up during the festive period when we responded to several incidents in Mayo and Donegal between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.”
Dr Lisa Cunningham is also a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Mayo University Hospital, she added, “I’m one of three Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders based in the west and northwest of Ireland. We regularly volunteer to respond to medical emergencies in our spare time. We carry vital equipment like portable ventilators and medication that is normally found in Emergency Departments. It’s entirely funded by donations from the public to the Irish Community Air Ambulance. Their generosity enables us to carry out complex procedures at the scene, essentially bringing the Emergency Department to our rural communities. The Camino trip will help pay for additional equipment for our volunteer responders in Mayo and Donegal as well as helping to expand this service to more communities across the country.”
Participants on the Camino will have the option of a 328 km cycle or a 130 km walk. Each group will be accompanied by a tour guide and a representative from the Irish Community Air Ambulance.
Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of €2,500 which includes return flights, transfers, 7 days accommodation as well as breakfast and dinner each day.
Head of Community and Donor Engagement with the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Lorraine Toner said, “Our team of Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders is growing rapidly and it’s thanks to our dedicated supporters right across the country. The Camino event is one that’s close to our hearts because it gives us the chance to meet our wonderful fundraisers, many of whom have first hand experience of the work our charity does. It’s also a fantastic challenge for people who would like to increase their fitness, try something new and to meet new people. There is still time to start training, however, we would suggest that anyone thinking of signing up for the cycle has some experience on the bike. We have a dedicated fundraising team who will help participants to reach their goal on this unforgettable trip.”
The walking group will begin in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finish in Los Arcos. Walkers will spend one night in Pamplona, the town famous for its Running of the Bulls festival.
The cycling group will also begin in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port but will cycle around the Pyrenees rather than up and over. The route takes in the foothills of the Pyrenees, vineyards, woodlands, historical cities and picturesque towns. The cyclists will finish Sahagun and fly home from Madrid.
For more information or to register visit https://communityairambulance.ie/camino/
