A search and rescue pilot is swapping his flying wings for running shoes to take on a marathon in aid of a charity who fund research into childhood cancer.
More akin to helping those in need from the air, HM Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) pilot Captain Peter Collins will need to have his feet firmly on the group to raise cash for Children with Cancer UK while attempting the London Marathon in April.
Captain Collins will put his strength and endurance to the test to run the 26 miles after seeing the devastating effects of cancer first-hand when transporting infant and child patients in emergencies.
The pilot was inspired to raise money for the charity after flying dozens of children in poor health to hospital for essential cancer care over the course of his career.
Captain Collins regularly competes in major running competitions both in the UK and internationally. He previously took part in the Berlin Marathon, achieving a respectable time of 3 hours and 16 minutes.
Captain Collins has been a pilot for 36 years, operating from the SAR base in Stornoway.
Captain Collins said: “As a SAR pilot, I’ve helped transport young patients between hospitals in the UK for life-saving cancer treatment many times and I’m always humbled by their resilience and cheerfulness.
“Children with Cancer UK provides help and support to these children and their families through very challenging times in their lives, and I am proud to support their efforts.”
As part of a team, Captain Collins provides vital life-saving support to the marine industries, the offshore energy sector, as well as to land-based incidents including missing persons and other medical emergencies.
“I am training as much as I can to prepare for the challenge and fitting in my training between various SAR flying courses.
“I’m currently in Italy attending the Leonardo Training Academy learning to fly the Leonardo AW189, but I try to squeeze in at least one run a day.”
Children with Cancer UK is the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer and has funded more than 200 projects in the UK.
The charity was established in 1987 by Eddie and Marion O’Gorman who started fundraising after the death of their children Paul and Jean, to cancer, within nine months of each other.