The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The daughter of a man who died when his motorcycle was hit by a car will take part in her first ever sponsored run to help the service that tried to save him.
On Saturday (August 12) Melissa Elam (27) will take part in the Nottingham 10K race, raising money for the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. The service is run by volunteer medical professionals who attend emergencies and attended Melissa’s father, Martin, in August 2017.
Melissa will take part along with her father’s friends Stacy Passant, Andy Passant and Andy Bray, for Team Elam. Sunday‘s will be the first 10k run any of them have done.
Melissa said she has only started running this year and has found it a useful tool.
“When I started running I couldn’t even run a mile.
“I started running in the new year it helped me take my mind off things as I was really struggling with what happened to my dad.
“I started to enjoy the running as it gave me something to focus on as I was gradually able to run a bit further each time.”
Finding this positivity within herself, Melissa then found the strength to share it with the wider world.
“I decided I wanted to make a difference,” she said.
“I thought about setting myself a challenge and doing something good for others. So I thought as Dad was the reason I started running I could pay back to the air ambulance for helping him. Even though they couldn’t save him, I thought it could still help others to avoid having go through what I have been through.”
To donate, visit https://secure.artezglobal.com/registrant/fundraisingpage.aspx?sid=435840&langpref=en-ca&eid=45513
