THE campaign to bring a helipad to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre has found an unlikely supporter – Notts County's goalkeeping coach.
Kevin Pilkington, who played for both the Magpies and Mansfield Town, is going to lace up his trainers and take on the Robin Hood Half Marathon in aid of the charity effort.
Pilkington's fundraising is part of the Saving Lives Helipad Appeal from Nottingham Hospitals' Charity, which is aiming to raise £3 million to build a helipad at the hospital.
The development would allow the most seriously injured patients to be transferred directly into the hospital rather than having to land at the University of Nottingham and be transferred in an ambulance – a move that could save 15 vital minutes each time.
The Notts County legend said: "I think it's a fantastic cause, so I was delighted to show my support."
With the marathon not far off on Sunday, September 28, Pilkington is currently hard at work training for the event.
He said: "I'm well aware of the excellent work the Major Trauma Centre at the QMC – and I know how important it is to get people to hospital quickly after an accident. The onsite helipad will save valuable extra time for critically-injured patients who arrive by air from across the East Midlands."
Jenny Wing, Nottingham Hospitals Charity's head of fundraising said: "We're delighted that Kevin has chosen to get involved with the Saving Lives Helipad Appeal."
"We're so grateful for his support and we're sure that the many thousands of Magpies fans in the East Midlands will be backing his fundraising efforts, which will benefit trauma patients from across the region when the new helipad is in place."
To support the appeal go to www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk or call 0115 962 7905.
