London’s paramedics are calling on the capital’s residents to strap on their walking boots to make the city safer for everyone in a family-friendly fundraising walk that start and ends in Bermondsey this September, writes Gabriel Stewart
The London Life Hike, organised by the London Ambulance Charity, will start and finish in Southwark Park, with a choice of a 6km or 21km route through some of the city’s most iconic sights.
Registration for the Saturday 26 September walk will cost £10 for adults, £5 for children and £25 for a family ticket whilst children under five can join for free.
Previous years have seen tens of thousands raised to help fund lifesaving initiatives in local communities, including placing more public-access defibrillators into communities and teaching Londoners what to do when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
Samantha Palfreyman-Jones, Head of Community Resuscitation and a Paramedic at London Ambulance Service, said: “A cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency where every second counts. Without immediate help, people will die.
“The most effective way to improve survival is simple: immediate CPR and access to a defibrillator.
“That’s why we’re asking Londoners to come together and help us train more people and install more life-saving equipment in the neighbourhoods that need them most.”
The event includes a family-friendly 6km route that is accessible for wheelchair users, with an “Explorer’s Challenge” activity trail for the kids to dive into.
For more ambitious hikers, there is a 21km route taking in stunning views along the River Thames and some of the cities landmarks from St Paul’s Cathedral to Buckingham Palace.
Pauline Cranmer, Chief Paramedic of the London Ambulance Trust, said: “The London Life Hike promises to be a fun day out for everyone of all ages and abilities, and we’d urge Londoners to get behind us and support this great cause.
“If you, or someone you love, has ever needed the services of London Ambulance, this is a really fantastic way to say thank you to our wonderful teams.
“Where you live shouldn’t determine whether they survive a cardiac arrest. And by taking part in the Life Hike, you can really make a difference to the number of defibrillators we have across London that are ready to be used in a life-threatening emergency.”
Londoners can sign up here or turn up on Saturday 26 September at Southwark Park Bandstand.
