STAFF at Leeds Bradford Airport have completed a lockdown challenge to mark Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday.

Employees were asked to mark the occasion - and raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance while doing so - by running, walking or cycling 2.26km in a non-contact relay.

Many contributed while at home or in their surrounding neighbourhoods while a few were able to take part on the unusually quiet runway itself.

By the end of the week the team had completed 2,614km, the equivalent of 1,162 lengths of the runway.

They also raised £5,000 for the air ambulance which was matched by the airport, resulting in a £10,000 donation to the life-saving charity.

Chief Commercial Officer for Leeds Bradford Airport, Joanna Wild, said: “Yorkshire Air Ambulance provides an amazing service to those most in need across the region year in, year out.

“Just like the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we are committed to our local communities and region and wanted to show our appreciation for the vital work that they do.

“And what better tribute than on the birthday of one of the world’s best known ever health carers?

“We’re delighted to support their efforts and would like to thank everybody that donated and took part in the fundraising.”

West Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Vickie Bowden, said: “We would like to thank staff at Leeds Bradford Airport for their support and generosity.

“The runway walk was such an innovative fundraising idea.

“Due to the current pandemic the air ambulance has seen a downturn in fundraising events equating to over £420,000.

“It costs £12,000 a day to keep both of our air ambulances maintained and in the air and the £10,000 raised will help greatly towards the vital funding of our service.”

The air ambulance serves five million people across Yorkshire and carries out more than 1,500 missions every year.

The charity has two, state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters and needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep them in the air and maintained.

That equates to £4.4 million of required funding each year.

The air ambulance’s helicopters run from Nostell Priory, near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe, near Thirsk and provide a life-saving, rapid response emergency service 365 days a year.

Its patients are transferred to the nearest major trauma centres from the scene of the accident, with the helicopters travelling at speeds of up to 160mph.