Siblings take on 400-mile border walk in memory of step-mum

Three siblings are preparing to set off on a 400-mile walking challenge around the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire county borders to raise money for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

Helen, her sister Amanda, and brother Richard will walk the entire boundary between the two counties in memory of their beloved stepmother Carol, who tragically passed away after suffering a sudden heart attack in May.

Despite a swift emergency response - including a first responder, paramedics, and the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance - Carol sadly never regained consciousness. The family now wants to honour her memory by giving back to the service that tried so hard to save her.

“On Sunday 4th May, during a family BBQ, our Step mum suffered a sudden heart attack and stopped breathing. In those critical first moments, we came together as a family - calling for emergency help, fetching a defibrillator, and performing CPR within minutes,” said Helen.

“Thanks to the incredible speed and coordination of emergency services - all arriving within 20 minutes, Carol’s heart was restarted. Despite everyone’s efforts, Carol sadly never regained consciousness and passed away peacefully in hospital on Tuesday 6th May.

“We are forever grateful for the care, compassion, and tireless work of the paramedics, doctors, and air ambulance team. It was during this heartbreaking time that we learned the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is funded entirely by voluntary donations.”

The walk will begin near North Somercotes, with the first two legs covering more than 30 miles over two days, heading to Skegness via an overnight stop in Mablethorpe. Over the coming weeks, they’ll continue their journey along the full county boundary, stopping in towns and villages, and sharing their progress online.

Their goal is to raise at least £1,000 for the charity, which receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations. Each air ambulance mission costs around £4,000, and the service must raise £30 million annually to keep flying.

Covering 3,500 square miles, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance is one of the UK’s busiest, reaching patients anywhere in the region within just 20 minutes. As well as rapid response by helicopter, it brings hospital-level critical care directly to the scene of emergencies.

“We wanted to do something meaningful in Carol’s honour,” said Amanda.. “The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance was there when it mattered most. Every mission costs around £4,000 - and yet it’s provided entirely through donations.”

Supporters can follow their journey and donate via their fundraising page: Walking the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Border in Memory of Carol – Supporting Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

“Every step we take is a thank you. And every donation helps the air ambulance reach someone else, just in time.”