Notts County Goalkeeping Coach Kevin Pilkington has pledged his support to Nottingham Hospitals Charity…
He will be pounding the Nottingham pavements after agreeing to run the 2014 Robin Hood Half Marathon in aid of the Charity’s recently-launched Saving Lives Helipad Appeal.
The Saving Lives Helipad Appeal has been set up to raise £3 million to build an onsite helipad at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC). The new helipad will enable the most seriously-injured trauma patients from across the region to be airlifted straight to the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre at QMC.
At the moment, these patients have to complete their journey by road, which can take up to 20 minutes.
"We’re delighted that Kevin has chosen to get involved with the Saving Lives Helipad Appeal," Jenny Wing, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, told the Official Site.
"We’re so grateful for his support and we’re sure that the many thousands of Magpies fans in the East Midlands will be backing his fundraising efforts, which will benefit trauma patients from across the region when the new helipad is in place."
The 40-year-old shot-stopper first heard about the Helipad Appeal when a colleague at Meadow Lane asked him if he’d like to get involved in fundraising.
He told the Official Site: "The Club received an invitation from Nottingham Hospitals Charity for players or other staff to run the Robin Hood Half Marathon to raise money for the Helipad Appeal," he explained.
"Kate, one of the PAs here, knew I was keen on running a half marathon and told me more about the Helipad Appeal. I think it’s a fantastic cause, so I was delighted to show my support."
With the marathon just a few weeks away on 28 September, Kevin is currently hard at work training and boosting his fitness levels by taking part in Tough Mudder events.
He added: "I enjoy trying out new physical challenges, especially when a good cause is involved."
"I’m well aware of the excellent work the Major Trauma Centre does to save hundreds of lives every year – and I know how important it is to get people to hospital quickly after an accident. The onsite helipad will save valuable extra time for critically-injured patients who arrive by air from across the East Midlands."
Kevin and the club are calling on Magpies fans to support Kevin by donating their spare cash to the Helipad Appeal.
How to donate: Nottingham Hospitals Charity has set up a special text number for donations to Kevin’s fundraising marathon run.
Simply text KPNC01 and the amount you want to donate, e.g. £5, to 70070.
You can also donate online at Kevin’s Everyday Hero web page by clicking here.
To find out more about Nottingham Hospitals Charity and the Saving Lives Helipad Appeal, make a donation or get involved in the golden hour challenge, visit www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk or call 0115 962 7905.