Ambulance crew goes to Hell and back for charity
Pictured are Waterford Ambulance crew members (l-to-r): Stephen Deegan, Martin Bridges, Stephen Thul, Ellen Fitzgerald, Claire Staunton, Tom O'Brien, Gary Kennedy, Niamh Harold, Clodagh Murphy (front left) Rose Somers (front middle), Jessica O'Shea (front right) and Caroline Donnelly.
A team of dedicated paramedics from Waterford braved the grueling Hell and Back challenge earlier this year to raise money for charity.
The event itself took place on June 8.
The Waterford ambulance service members were delighted to be able to raise much-needed funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT), which is an organisation that resonates with them on a personal level.
However, the event also served a dual purpose as it enabled them to boost their team morale and reinforce and enhance their strong bond of camaraderie.
'Hell and Back' is widely regarded as one of Ireland's toughest, physical and mental endurance events.
However, the Waterford crew were very happy to rise to the challenge.
It saw the paramedics tackle mud-soaked obstacles, freezing water, and grueling terrain at Kilruddery Estate in County Wicklow.
While the team is very accustomed to handling high-pressure situations in their daily work, they admitted to finding the challenge of the course both demanding and rewarding.
“We faced it as a team, just as we do in our daily duties, and that made all the difference," said one of the paramedics, Rosie Somers.
The paramedics chose to participate in the event not only to push their limits but also to support KBRT, a charity close to their hearts.
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust assists families in bringing home loved ones who have tragically passed away abroad.
The cause resonated deeply with the paramedics, who often witness firsthand the pain and challenges families face during such difficult times.
KBRT is also a cause very close to their hearts as there colleague, Caroline Donnelly had to use the charity herself to bring her beloved son Cormac home to his family.
All of the paramedics enjoyed the experience of participating in the challenge and they took great satisfaction from being able to help support such a very worthy organisation.
The team raised a total of €1,925 for what they themselves described as "this amazing charity".
