A GROUP of dedicated fundraisers braved the summer heatwave to walk 50 miles across Essex to raise money for charity.

Nine supporters of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) set off on Friday, July 15, walking 127,000 steps along the Essex Way as part of the charity’s Base2Base challenge.

The journey took them from the charity’s North Weald Air Base to the Earls Colne Air Base, and included two overnight camping stops along the way before they finished on the following Sunday.

Among the participants were the mother and daughter team of Sheila Wright, from Coggeshall, and Cherry McKean, from Earls Colne, who both also took part in the challenge last year.

All together, EHAAT has raised nearly £10,000 with sponsorship money still rolling in.

Cherry said: “Jen, Steve and Tony from the Air Ambulance did an amazing job organising the event, supporting us all the way through and keeping us motivated.

“I did train for the Challenge because it is so hard, but the camaraderie of the group, the buzz of seeing the helicopter fly over us on day two, reminding us why we were doing the challenge, and crossing the finish line at the end, made it all worth it.

“I feel it’s so important to support the Charity and feel proud to be living so close to the Airbase – it’s a real community service.”

The challenge takes three days on foot, but would only take 15 minutes in one of the service’s helicopters, helping to highlight how vital the service can be to those in need of medical help.

Jen Wall, events and volunteer manager at the air ambulance trust, who joined the trekkers, said: “Our Base2Base walkers did a phenomenal job trekking across open countryside in the hot temperatures we had over the weekend.

“It was hard work but lots of fun. We would like to say a huge thank you to all those who took part and hope they get a well-deserved rest.”

The charity is hoping to run a similar challenge again next year.