Two Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance specialist paramedics will be joining a team of female air ambulance crew taking part in the Great North Run.

On Sunday, September 8, the day before Air Ambulance Week commences, specialist critical care paramedics Clare Fitchett and Dolly McPherson will line up alongside 20 of their life-saving colleagues from 13 air ambulance services across the UK.

A second all-female team will also be participating in the New Forest half marathon on the same day.

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Dolly McPherson and Clare Fitchett (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance) The team are aiming to improve visibility of women working within helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and encourage other women to apply for roles in what is still seen as a male dominated career, with 44 per cent of paramedics in the UK identified as female.

Clare said: “I genuinely believe there are a lot of young girls out there who don’t realise they can be a doctor, pilot or paramedic on board an air ambulance. I want teenage girls to be able to look at air ambulance services and see that there are women doing these jobs.

“But they can’t be what they can’t see. If I can be a positive role model for young girls and women, and help them see themselves in someone like me, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Dolly adds: “HEMS can be a hugely valuable and rewarding job irrespective of gender because of what we are privileged to do – help change and save lives. “There’s still a lot more work to do,” emphasises Clare. “Why aren’t women applying for HEMS, or are they applying and not getting through?”

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Both experienced runners, Dolly and Clare have completed multiple marathons and half marathons before but joining forces with their air ambulance colleagues from across the country will be a unique experience.

“It’s such an exciting prospect to be running with so many inspirational women from HEMS services across the country – and even better to have the chance to build a social bond in the process of training,” Dolly said.

“When women support each other, we can be a pretty powerful and inspirational force for change.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance responds to thousands of seriously ill and injured patients every year.

Support the team by going to justgiving.com/page/clare-1721745099789.