A DEDICATED 60-year-old completed a whopping 24-hour treadmill challenge as he raised more than £1,000 to support air ambulance crews.

Nick Ball, from Canvey, spent 24 hours on a treadmill at the Anytime Fitness gym, in Furtherwick Road, after being inspired to support the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance charity after seeing first hand the work they do.

The challenge was completed in memory of Nick’s fiancé’s brother, Mark, who died in a tragic car accident on Christmas Eve 2023.

Nick’s challenge was done to demonstrate the “endurance and resilience Mark embodied throughout his life” and has raised £1,347 so far.

He said: “I am really proud and really pleased, I have broken what I wanted to do, I smashed the target, and I am pleased with the way I arranged and organised it.

“The challenge was undertaken by myself and I had a support team with me to help, should I have needed it.

“They were with me for Saturday and from early morning to when I finished, I give a big thanks to them.”

After spending months promoting the 24-hour run, Nick believes he has helped to make a difference and spread awareness of the difficulties the air ambulance faces as a charity and why supporting it is essential. He added: “I managed to promote the event around the gym and in such a way the awareness there has been greatly heightened, and the people I have spoken to in-training and whilst I have been undergoing the challenge have been in awe of what I am doing.

“Trying to do that by land ambulance and paramedic car is not possible and we really need them, I strongly believe in getting them more support not just in Essex but nationally to keep them flying.

“Each time we put one in the air, it cost thousands - we have to keep promoting them.”

Nick has thanked friends Martin Chapman and Dean Summers as well as his family, including Brenda and Geoff Goodhind, and friends Becky and Ian Sparks for their support.

Mark’s sister Chris was also there in support.

You can donate to Nick still at: justgiving.com/page/nick-ball-1706364426242