Guernsey’s Acting Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer is heading to Spain next month to compete in the Seville marathon.
John Le Noury is using the event to support St John by raising funds for the new emergency road ambulance.
The 58-year-old has taken part in seven previous marathons, including races in Malta, Cyprus and Copenhagen, but this is first time he has entered the Seville event. The Seville marathon which takes place on Sunday 25th February, starts and finishes in the Olympic Stadium on La Cartuja Island and is described as one of the most scenic races in Spain.
Mr Le Noury, who has served with the ambulance service for 23 years, and worked as a paramedic before taking on the senior officer role, says “I can’t think of a better or more worthwhile cause than the new ambulance. It is something that will bring benefit to our clinicians and most importantly our patients throughout the island”.
As for his training, Mr Le Noury added “After training through all the wind and rain recently I am looking forward to some nice Spanish weather for the marathon in Seville.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor John can do so by making a donation via the New Ambulance Appeal event on the Giving.gg website or by sending a cheque payable to St John Emergency Ambulance Service to St John HQ, Rohais, St Peter Port, GY1 1YN.
Donations for the new ambulance have been coming in since December. In addition to the many individual contributions from islanders a number of groups and organisations have also been fundraising, including the Elizabeth College Junior School and the Guernsey Motorcycle and Car Club. A quiz night and a music concert are also being planned for later this year.
The new ambulance will replace the oldest vehicle in the St John fleet and will provide the service with an modern mobile medical treatment centre allowing clinicians to deliver advanced skills and pre-hospital emergency care in homes or by the roadside.