A CHARITY is encouraging people to step forward and sign up for its brand-new walking event fundraiser.

Cornwall Air Ambulance’s Heli Hike will provide an opportunity for participants to come together and take on a walk through the landscapes of Bude on Saturday April 25.

The event offers two routes to choose from, both of which will include scenic sights along the South West coastal path, through farm fields and along the canal.

The full route is a12-mile circuit starting and ending at Bude Castle.

The length of the challenge represents an average flight time of 12 minutes to incidents tasked to Cornwall Air Ambulance. A shorter second route of 3.5 miles starts at Widemouth Bay Beach and also ends at Bude Castle.

The event is family friendly and is suitable for all ages. Dogs are also welcome to join the walk providing they are always kept on leads.

Participants will receive a Heli Hike t-shirt and an eco-friendly medal after they complete the challenge.

Hot food will be available thanks to Rapid Relief Team and there will be a live DJ playing music to add to the celebrations.

Former Cornwall Air Ambulance patient Lewie Cole, aged 17 from Bude, will be taking part in the first ever Heli Hike. Two years ago he fell 35 feet off a cliff into a rocky cove below. Lewie will be taking part in the event along with his twin brother Logan who made the call to 999 at the time of the incident.

Registrations to cover the running of the event cost £15 for adults and £10 for children, with those aged under five able to attend for free. There is a 25% discount available for those wanting to take part as a team of five or more. Participants are also asked to raise funds for Cornwall Air Ambulance on top of the entrance fee.

Offering their support as sponsors for the event are bott UK and M&M Plant (Devon & Cornwall) Ltd.

Karen Hurn from Cornwall Air Ambulance said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching our first ever Heli Hike, an event where literally every single step taken is helping to save lives right across our region.

“Whichever of our two routes you choose to take, your involvement will help us continue to provide critical care to patients like Lewie and ensure that together, we can be there for someone’s tomorrow. It’s going to be a brilliant day in Bude and we can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Last year, following the generous support for the Heli2 Appeal, Cornwall Air Ambulance secured a second AW169 helicopter for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This has increased availability significantly and now means that weather-permitting, a helicopter is always ready to respond, including during times of repair or service.

There is now also a doctor on board nearly all daytime missions, working alongside highly skilled critical care paramedics, ensuring patients benefit from a full range of critical care skills.