Wick ambulance technician prepares to tackle Edinburgh Marathon while carrying 10kg response kit
A Wick-based Scottish Ambulance Service technician will be putting himself through his paces this weekend – in full emergency gear – to raise money for charity.
Jack Falconer, who serves at Wick Ambulance Station, is preparing to take part in Sunday’s Edinburgh Marathon alongside fellow technician Dominic Ballisat from Edinburgh.
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But unlike other runners, the pair won’t be wearing trainers and shorts – instead, they’ll be donning their full ambulance uniform, including boots, and carrying a 10kg ambulance response bag throughout the 26.2-mile course.
The pair are raising funds for The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC), which supports ambulance workers and their families in times of need.
Together, they have already raised over £2000 – a figure that TASC says could pay for 46 hours of mental health support or 172 financial guidance sessions.
Jack, who is running his first marathon, explained: “We decided to run with the kit bag, uniform and boots in order to make it more challenging in the hope it will raise awareness and support for TASC.
“It also highlights the mental and physical stress that ambulance personnel undergo on a daily basis.”
His running partner Dominic, a three-time marathoner and former Thurso Ambulance Station colleague, added: “We are grateful for the amazing work TASC do in supporting our colleagues and their families in their time of need.
“We have both been training with boots and trousers with a 10kg bag plus water. We expect it to be tough especially if it's hot, but nothing worthwhile is easy.”
TASC’s head of income generation Jasmin Rana said the charity was “incredibly grateful” for the pair’s commitment.
“We receive no funding from the NHS or ambulance trusts for our general services,” she explained. “We rely on generous supporters like Jack and Dominic to keep providing help for ambulance workers when they’re struggling with their mental, physical or financial wellbeing.
“From everyone at TASC, thank you.”
To support Jack and Dominic’s fundraising efforts, visit their JustGiving page by searching “Dom B is fundraising for The Ambulance Staff Charity.”
Their cause can be supported at justgiving.com/page/tascmarathon2025.
