WEEKS of training are nearly over for the 60 runners taking on the Bath Half Marathon to raise vital funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance on Sunday.

The charity began operating a dedicated air ambulance last month and has filled its allocation of 50 places with more people signing up independently to run for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Many runners have chosen to run for the charity after experiencing their work either as a patient or through friends and family.

Dylan Jones, 21, of Lechlade, Gloucestershire, was airlifted in 2012 after suffering injuries in a road traffic collision and is running the 13.1 miles with around 20 family and friends.

Dylan’s father, Chris Jones, said: “Wiltshire Air Ambulance saved Dylan’s life and we want to raise money for this wonderful charity and do our bit to keep the air ambulance flying.”

A group of 13 student paramedics at the University of the West of England in Bristol are also taking part.

Kate Jackson, one of the students, said: “Many of us have come across Wiltshire Air Ambulance crews and some of us are hoping to become Critical Care paramedics in the future.”

Qualified paramedic Ben Abbott, 31, is based at Bath Ambulance Station but hopes to become an air ambulance paramedic and has been doing developmental shifts with the charity.

He said: “I am raising money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance as it is an amazing cause, funded solely by charity and as a paramedic in Bath the support of the staff at the unit is invaluable to both clinicians and the patients we treat.”

Rebecca de la Bedoyere, Fundraising Manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We have a team of 60 runners taking part in this year’s Bath Half Marathon, which is a fantastic number and will help create a brilliant team spirit on the day.

“Our runners have been training hard and fundraising hard to ensure the Bath Half is a success for them and for us and we’re so grateful to them for their dedication and commitment.

“Some of them have a personal connection with the charity, having needed our help for themselves or a loved one.

“Others are working or training to be in the medical profession and can see how important an air ambulance service is while others simply want to push themselves to the limit and make a difference in doing so.

The charity is hoping Sunday’s half marathon will help them raise around £10,000 and readers can support the runners at the team’s Just Giving page.