By Laura French
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — A volunteer EMT in Maryland plans to run more than 100 miles in 24 hours to help her squad raise money for PPE.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad EMT Ashley Donovan will run the solo ultramarathon around a firehouse this weekend to encourage donations, according to NBC Washington. Donovan said she is running alone to abide by social distancing and hopes to complete more than 500 laps around the station between 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday.
The initiative, called Rescue1UltraRun, serves the dual purpose of providing protective equipment for the volunteer agency and allowing Donovan to fulfill her love of running, as many races she planned to attend this year have been canceled.
Donovan says any extra money that doesn’t go toward PPE will help the agency continue normal operations throughout the pandemic. Some of the money will also go toward Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization Feed the Fight, which delivers meals to first responders and medical personnel.
According to the donation page for Rescue1UltraRun, more than $4,800 has been raised so far.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad plans to livestream Donovan’s run on its Facebook page to raise awareness of the fundraiser and of the importance of volunteer emergency personnel.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=696234541134563