Fundraiser raises more than £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance after emotional 26.2-mile challenge
A CARDIFF doctor swapped hospital wards for the streets of Italy after completing a marathon in memory of his late friend and colleague.
Samir Sholapurkar took on the marathon in Bologna to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance following the death of his friend Lowrie Edwards last November.
The 31-year-old, who works for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said he wanted to support the charity because of the “amazing work” it carries out across Wales — a cause also close to Lowrie and her family.
Despite only having previously completed a half marathon more than a decade ago, Samir committed himself to the gruelling 26.2-mile challenge and raised an impressive £1,037.
Reflecting on the experience, he said: “I planned to do my first marathon in Italy in the hope that the running conditions would be favourable. The marathon was definitely a challenge for me, but I enjoyed the training process, and I am grateful that I was able to make it round despite some frustrating physical injuries.
“Hopefully I’ll find another opportunity not too far into the future to do another one and aim for a speedier time.
“I ran a half-marathon over 10 years ago, so looking back on it this was a reintroduction to a sport at the deeper end should we say!”
After completing the race, Samir visited the Wales Air Ambulance Cardiff heliport to present the charity with the funds he had raised.
He said: “I’ll be eternally grateful for all the support I received for undertaking this event; raising this money for a local charity that is dear to the hearts of my friend Lowrie Edwards, who sadly passed away in the Autumn last year, and her family was an honour for me.
“It was a privilege and great fun to meet some of the team at the helicopter base and to learn a bit more about the work that the Wales Air Ambulance do for people across the country.”
The Wales Air Ambulance delivers consultant-led emergency care across the country, bringing hospital-standard treatment directly to patients at the scene of serious incidents.
Working in partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), crews are able to provide advanced critical care including anaesthesia, blood transfusions and minor surgical procedures.
The charity relies entirely on public support to raise the £13 million needed annually to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles operational.
Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager for the charity, praised Samir’s efforts.
He said: “A huge thank you to Samir for running a marathon for our Charity. It was touching to hear that Samir raised the funds in memory of his friend and former colleague Lowrie Edwards.
“Despite the fact it was over 10 years ago that Samir ran a half marathon, he set himself the huge challenge of running double that distance to complete a marathon, which is incredible.
“Every pound that was raised will make a lifesaving difference. Thank you so much!”
