FILTON and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti completed the Bristol Half Marathon last week to raise funds for the Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA).

Despite being ill last year the MP managed to complete the 13-mile course in just under two hours.

Money raised will go towards the maintenance costs of the new helicopter which will replace the current one which is over 40 years old.

The half marathon coincided with the beginning of National Air Ambulance Week, in which the work of air ambulance services across the country is celebrated.

The GWAA is a charity, based in Filton, which provides emergency air ambulance service for more than two million people who live in the area.

The charity operates seven days a week, 365 days a year and receives no funding from either the government or the National Lottery.

They will be taking delivery of a new medicalised Eurocopter 135 next month which will enable them to provide a better standard of care, however the new helicopter does have higher maintenance costs.

Mr Lopresti said: “Running the Bristol Half Marathon a couple of weeks ago was a very big moment for me as it was the first time that I had run a half for two years.

“Even though I have been training over the summer, which included three ten mile runs, I wasn’t sure how my body would react to just over thirteen.

“However, I needn’t have worried as Sunday turned out to be a great day and I was able to get round in just under two hours, which for me was a reasonable time.”

Speaking about the GWAA he said: “The men and women who staff and run voluntary organisations such as the Air Ambulance are hugely important in assisting the emergency services.

“2.1 million people live in the area covered by the Great Western Air Ambulance, and so I was delighted that the money I raised will go towards keeping it flying.”

He has seemingly caught the running bug and will be running in the Stroud Half Marathon on Sunday, October 26.

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so at: www.justgiving.com/jackloprestimp