Ambulance crew make surprise call to thank six-year-old Northumberland boy

A six-year-old from Longhoughton who took on a fund-raising cycling challenge received a surprise visit from his local ambulance service to say thank you.
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After watching Captain Tom’s amazing 100th birthday challenge, Ruaridh (Ru) Marley was inspired to do his own – and set about cycling 50 miles throughout May with the help of mum Katrina and dad Tim, choosing North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) as the worthy recipient.

Initially Ru – who is hoping to cycle five miles every other day – had hoped to raise £1 per mile cycled but smashed his £50 target within the first day of his Justgiving page going live.

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Six-year-old Ru Marley received a visit from North East Ambulance Service paramedics to thank him for raising over £1,400 by doing a long-distance cycle.Six-year-old Ru Marley received a visit from North East Ambulance Service paramedics to thank him for raising over £1,400 by doing a long-distance cycle.
Six-year-old Ru Marley received a visit from North East Ambulance Service paramedics to thank him for raising over £1,400 by doing a long-distance cycle.

Katrina said: “With Captain Tom doing his challenge, he said he wanted to do something too and was adamant he wanted to raise money for the NHS. Captain Tom has obviously raised a tremendous amount for the national charity so we suggested he look at supporting a local one.

“We know quite a few people connected to the ambulance service so we thought NEAS seemed like a great choice.”

After seeing what a remarkable effort Ru had put in to helping the service, husband and wife team Louise and Wayne McKay, who are both paramedics at NEAS and volunteer for the coastguard in their spare time alongside Tim, surprised Ru on one of his family cycling trips to say thank you at their local beach.

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As well as receiving a goody bag from the service, including mini medic uniform, Ru was given a whistle-stop tour of the ambulance, and even had the chance to sound the horn.

Ru Marley with mum Katrina, dad Tim and husband and wife paramedic team Wayne and Louise McKay.Ru Marley with mum Katrina, dad Tim and husband and wife paramedic team Wayne and Louise McKay.
Ru Marley with mum Katrina, dad Tim and husband and wife paramedic team Wayne and Louise McKay.

“It was so nice that he chose to raise money for our service,” said Wayne. “Hopefully it’ll go to good use and he can see where his money has been spent.”

Louise added: “It was so lovely to see his face. We made his day and that’s such a good feeling.”

Katrina added: “He didn’t do it to be thanked, he just wanted to raise money and he is so proud to have raised so much for such a fabulous charity.

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Ru Marley with mum Katrina and dad Tim.Ru Marley with mum Katrina and dad Tim.
Ru Marley with mum Katrina and dad Tim.

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Ru Marley inside the ambulance.Ru Marley inside the ambulance.
Ru Marley inside the ambulance.

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