A paramedic based at Beechdale Ambulance Station will take on a huge challenge next month when she will cycle up and down a French mountain three times in 12 hours – all in the name of charity,
Erica Smith, who has been a paramedic for 15 years, hopes to raise £2,000 for Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance through sponsorship for her epic 90-mile expedition.
The challenge will see her cycle up and down all three roads of the 2,000m high Mont Ventoux (known as The Giant of Provence) in France, which is estimated to take around 12 hours.
Erica, who has been a keen cyclist all her life, responded to an incident where a cyclist had crashed in Nottingham, and heard about the challenge from one of the Air Ambulance crew also attending.
As Erica has attempted the challenge before but was only able to make it up Mont Ventoux twice, she jumped at the opportunity to have another go and raise money for the Air Ambulance.
She said: “I’m determined more than nervous about the challenge, as I know I’ll keep going until I fall off my bike.
“I’m more nervous about not raising the money – which equates to the cost of one air ambulance mission.
“The air ambulance crews are our colleagues and we help each other out.
“Without them our lives would be more difficult as we don’t have the same access to remote places or their level of expertise.”
Erica has already raised £900 of her £2,000 target and is asking for any colleagues who are able to spare a couple of pounds to sponsor her.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Erica can do so by visiting her Justgiving Page.