Celebrating 175 Years by stepping up for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
Tue 20 May 2025
2025 is a momentous year for Masons as we celebrate our 175th birthday! To commemorate this historic milestone, we are lacing up our boots and embarking on a series of hiking adventures in hope of raising over £5,000 for Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance.
Our anniversary celebrations kicked off on a scorching Saturday in May with a practice walk in the unspoilt Lincolnshire Wolds. Lindsay, Simon, Sarah, Lauren, Jo, Stephen and Lucy were guided by mountain leader Heather, handpicked for us by Richard Fish Outdoor Adventures, a team of us tackled a rewarding 10-mile route starting from Nettleton Ramblers Car Park.
As you can see, the walk showcased one of the prettiest parts of the Wolds, taking us through tranquil woodlands, past intriguing old mine workings, across rolling farmland and spectacular panoramic views from the highest point in the Wolds. The way back uphill out of Claxby gave us a brilliant opportunity to practice our alpine walking techniques and get accustomed to carrying our packs in preparation for our main event in July: the formidable Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, which Simon, Russell, Lucy Turner, Lauren, Henry, Abi Saunders and Sarah aim to complete within 12 hours!
It's not just the organised hikes that are driving our fundraising efforts. We're thrilled that so many colleagues across Masons teams are embracing the "Move with Masons" spirit and undertaking their own walking challenges. While we were in the Wolds, our accounts manager Debbie (picutred below left) was striding up Lake District trails, and super-fit Lucy Oliver, (below right) from Masons Rural, managed to complete the Cleethorpes 5k the day after our Wolds walk! The collective enthusiasm and dedication are inspiring.
So why the LNAA as the chosen charity for our septaquintaquinquecentennial anniversary? Earlier this year, a group of us had the privilege of visiting their headquarters just outside Lincoln, and the experience was truly eye-opening. We witnessed firsthand the invaluable work they do, the dedication of their crews, and the critical role they play in supporting our rural community when accidents or incidents occur on the roads or in the fields.
For a predominantly rural and agricultural region like Lincolnshire, the Air Ambulance is an absolute lifeline. Consider the vast distances and often challenging road networks. When accidents happen in remote locations, time is of the essence. Unlike more urban areas, Lincolnshire doesn't have major trauma hospitals readily accessible by road. This is where the speed and efficiency of the LNAA become paramount.
Each mission comes at a significant cost - approximately £4,000. This covers not only the fuel and maintenance of the helicopter but also the highly trained crew on board. The crew consists of two highly skilled pilots, a doctor and a paramedic who bring critical medical expertise directly to the scene of an incident. Their ability to provide advanced medical care in those crucial first moments can make all the difference between life and death.
Just imagine a farmer involved in an agricultural accident miles from the nearest town, a horse rider injured in a remote bridleway, or a road traffic collision on a rural stretch of road. In these situations, the LNAA can reach patients quickly and transport them to the appropriate hospital in a fraction of the time it would take by road. The rapid response and the skills of the onboard medics dramatically improve the chances of survival and recovery for anyone involved.
The LNAA relies entirely on charitable donations to keep their services operational. They receive no direct government funding, making the support of local businesses and individuals like us absolutely vital. Without the generosity of our community, this essential service simply wouldn't exist.
That's why we've set ourselves what we hope is an achievable target of raising over £5,000 in our birthday year. Every step we take, every mile we hike, and every personal challenge undertaken by our team is driven by the desire to support this incredible charity.
We are asking for your support to help us reach our goal. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will directly contribute to keeping the LNAA in the skies, ready to respond to those in our community in their most critical hour of need.
Please visit our fundraising page for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance here to make a donation and help us celebrate our 175th anniversary by making a real difference to our community.
The next milestone is our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on 12th July, and we hope to arrange additional walks later in the year. Join us in our "Move with Masons" initiative and help us to ensure this life-saving service can continue its vital work for many years to come.
Thank you for your generosity!
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