Pilot Eduardo Prato to run from Cambridge to Norwich in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA)
Endurance runner Eduardo Prato is to run three marathons in two days, from Cambridge to Norwich, in order to raise money and awareness for East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) – for which he works as a pilot.
The 51-year-old, who is originally from Venezuela, will set off on foot from EAAA’s base in Cambridge on Saturday, September 3, and arrive at the EAAA base in Norwich the following day. Eduardo says: “I’ve been flying for these guys for three and half years now and as much as the fundraising, it’s also to increase the awareness of what EAAA does in East Anglia.”
Although he intends to run the full distance, Eduardo, a father of four, says that he may have to cycle some of the way. “It depends on the traffic,” he explains. “If the traffic is too heavy and there is no footpath, if I have any concerns safety-wise, then for some fairly short sectors I might cycle – but I will try to avoid it. If I cycle, it will be purely for safety reasons.”
On the Saturday evening, Eduardo plans to camp in Snetterton. “There’s a bikers’ event of some kind,” he notes. “Whether we like it or not, bikers are one of our main customers in the air ambulance. That is also a good reason.”
He adds: “On day one, I’ll be doing in excess of 60 miles, and then on day two it will be 30 miles or so. That was the only way to get to Snetterton in one day.”
Joining Eduardo on the first stretch of the challenge on the Saturday will be Laura Bird, who was helped by the air ambulance when she was younger. He will be joined at various stages by other people who have also been helped by the service.
Laura, who lives in St Ives, says: “They [the EAAA] saved my life when I was 18, and with Eduardo being a voluntary pilot I’ve had some contact with him before with some previous challenges. It’s a charity very close to my heart so I can’t wait for Saturday.”
Recalling how they saved her life, Laura says: “When I was 18, I unfortunately suffered quite badly with my mental health and I tried to take my own life by walking out in front of a lorry on the A14, and the air ambulance were called because it was a very life-threatening situation.
“I had some life-threatening injuries and they were called to the scene back in 2010 and they flew me to Addenbrooke’s, and I’m quite sure had they not flown me there and if I’d gone by land, I probably wouldn’t be here today – I definitely wouldn’t have a leg, that’s for sure.
“They’re responsible for flying me there that evening and I strongly believe they saved my life. Everything I am today, and every bit of health and happiness that I have, I owe to them.”
Laura adds: “I’m very passionate about reducing the taboo around suicide because a lot of people suffer, and obviously the conversation around mental health is getting a lot better – which is fantastic. So I am in a very privileged position and every day’s a privilege when you’ve experienced something that I have. These guys are out saving people’s lives every single day.”
[Read more: Air ambulance called following collision involving coach and young cyclist in Fulbourn]
Laura will start at the Cambridge base alongside Eduardo and will run with him as far as Addenbrooke’s. “He let me know he was doing it and I said, ‘Absolutely, I’ll come and help’,” she says.
“I’ll come and support him along the way because not only am I very passionate about running and endurance challenges myself, just to support him along the way is a privilege really – and anything we can do to continue to raise the profile of this brilliant charity and all the work that they do, I said I’ll be there with bells on.”
Laura also has her own challenge coming up in November, which will coincide with her 30th birthday, and this time Eduardo will offer support. Visit Eduardo’s JustGiving page for this weekend’s run at justgiving.com/fundraising/cambridge-to-norwich.
