THE SOUTH Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is urging people to 'go the extra mile' and take part in a virtual event to see if they can cover more miles in three months than an emergency ambulance does in a single shift.

In Oxford emergency ambulances cover 96 miles per shift.

Participants are encouraged to run, walk or cycle more than 96 miles between March 1 and May 31.

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Emergency ambulances in Kidlington cover 108 miles per shift, in Didcot they cover 152 miles and in Adderbury they cover 133 miles.

The challenge hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the work SCAS does.

Funds can be raised by setting up a fundraising page online at www.justgiving.com/campaign/scasoutrunanambulance or www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/scasoutrunanambulance

Laura Patrick, Communications and Fundraising Officer at the SCAS Charity, said:

"We wanted to create a challenge that was accessible to as many people as possible, hence the wide range in mileage options on our list of stations.

"You can add miles with any form of exercise - go out for a run, a cycle, a walk, or indoors on an exercise bike, treadmill or rowing machine.

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"We've even got one lady attempting to out swim an ambulance! You can take part as an individual or team up with people in your household or support bubble."

Will Hancock, Chief Executive at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"I fully support this latest fundraising campaign from our wonderful Charity team.

"With so many fundraising events cancelled over the last 12 months any money that you can raise during this challenge will make a real difference to our Charity and enable us to save more lives.

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"It costs £310.00 a year to keep our volunteer community first responders active in their local communities, and we have over 1,000 CFRs across the four counties we serve.

"They are sent to life-threatening emergencies and other priority emergency calls in their local area.

"Last year they were sent to over 24,000 incidents but we can only keep them trained, equipped and operational with funds raised by the SCAS Charity."

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