DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced the brand-new challenge Marathon in a Month to help save lives.

Set to begin this April, the inaugural marathon event is inviting people to walk, run or even swim 26.2 miles while raising sponsorship. Participants will have the choice of tackling the challenge all in one go or spread the miles out over the month.

The event is free to sign up to and participants will receive a complimentary T-shirt to wear upon activating their fundraising page. They can also look forward to exciting rewards and a special medal for those who complete the challenge and meet their fundraising goals.

Tracy Bartram, DSAA’s communications manager, said: “Our challenges have historically been a fantastic hub of engagement for everyone who takes part.

“The online challenge group is a wonderful space for people to share their journey with others. It contains messages of support, photos of people’s progress and encouragement at all times - I am sure that our brand-new Marathon in a Month will be no exception.

“We are really excited to see what everyone gets up to and we will be cheering them on every step of the way.”

By joining the ‘Marathon in a Month’ challenge, participants and donors will have the chance to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s work to provide life-saving, pre-hospital critical care, to patients in need.

Last year, the charity were tasked to 2,909 incidents, with each mission costing approximately £3,500. The group, whose operational costs are more than £5 million a year, receive no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery, relying entirely on the generosity of the public for support.

To find out more, and to sign up for DSAA’s Marathon in a Month Challenge, visit www.dsairambulance.org.uk/marathoninamonth