Jane Gow

Run for Geoff

My Dad’s 100 year life cut short……

Last June we tragically lost my Dad, Geoff Arnold in an accident at Victoria Train Station.

HEMS rapid response team were on the scene within 5 minutes and managed to resuscitate Dad and transfer him to St Mary’s Hospital ITU. Sadly his injuries were just too much and he passed away 4 days later with his family at his bedside.

Although It was the most difficult week of my life sitting by his side while he was on his life support machine we would like to thank HEMS for all their hard work, dedication and care. Without them we would not have had this chance to say goodbye. They allowed his North and South family to bond closer together over this period while we talked, cried and laughed trying to come to terms with our unbearable loss. They allowed us time to say goodbye and we will be eternally grateful for this.

We would now like to give back and let another family be able to have a loved one saved or at least the chance to say goodbye. We also know our Dad was an extremely generous man and he would be kicking our a***s to make sure we did this, there are around 30 of us running the London 10K in his memory. This was Dad’s annual birthday present. Each year when asked what he would like for his birthday he use to say ‘to run the 10K with me’. I often use to think why can’t I have a normal Dad that likes aftershave.

Dad had always been the most positive person I knew, he was my no.1 fan and told everyone how amazing I was. His goal was to live to 100, not an old decrepit man but one that could run a 10K on his 100^th birthday and OMG we know he would’ve given this his best shot. This came from his Mum (my Nan) she lived to 103 and we celebrated her 100^th birthday with her completing a mile long walk along Hoylake prom. Radio Merseyside interviewed her at the end of the walk and she told the presenter she could still touch her toes (and demonstrated this).

I don’t do this very often and publicly, there are many amazing charities out there but I want to get this my best shot. London Air Ambulance Charity delivers an advanced trauma team to the most seriously injured patients. Your donation will help save more lives by keeping the helicopter in the air and rapid response cars on the road, ready for when they are needed most. By providing intervention as quickly as possible after injury, London’s Air Ambulance Charity aims to give patients the best chance of survival and best quality of life, after trauma.