Two of our Specialist Critical Care Paramedics, Dolly McPherson and Clare Fitchett, are taking part in the Great North Run (8 September) alongside 18 of their air ambulance colleagues from across the UK, to promote and raise awareness of women saving lives in helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS).

We spoke to Dolly and Clare for International Women’s Day (8 March), to see how their training’s going and understand why female representation in HEMS is so important to them.

Dolly, who started flying with us in 2020, and Clare, in 2022, have more than 20 years’ experience in paramedicine and HEMS between them. However, it is widely recognised that HEMS is dominated by male crew.

As of October 2023, 44% of paramedics in the UK identified as female. Yet approximately only 1 in 4 HEMS paramedics and 1 in 5 HEMS doctors are women.

“I genuinely believe there are a lot of young girls out there who don’t realise they can be a doctor, pilot or paramedic on board an air ambulance,” says Clare.

“I want teenage girls to be able to look at air ambulance services and see that there are women doing these jobs.

“But they can’t be what they can’t see.

“If I can be a positive role model for young girls and women, and help them see themselves in someone like me, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Dolly adds: “HEMS can be a hugely valuable and rewarding job irrespective of gender because of what we are privileged to do – help change and save lives.

“However, working within HEMS as a woman can be particularly rewarding through the opportunities to be a role model for others who aspire to work within the industry.”

“There’s still a lot more work to do,” emphasises Clare. “Why aren’t women applying for HEMS, or are they applying and not getting through?”

Both experienced runners, Dolly and Clare have completed multiple marathons and half marathons before. Joining forces with their air ambulance colleagues from across the country on Sunday 8 September, however, will be a unique experience.

“It’s a great opportunity to promote women in HEMS,” says Clare.

“I started training over Christmas, and even though I’ve done marathons before, I’ve never run as part of a large group with my colleagues. It will be a special occasion.”

Dolly adds: “It’s such an exciting prospect to be running with so many inspirational women from HEMS services across the country – and even better to have the chance to build a social bond in the process of training.

“When women support each other, we can be a pretty powerful and inspirational force for change.”

Keep an eye on updates from the team as we track their progress throughout the summer.

To sign up to a charity event or challenge, and give our patients the best chance of survival, visit our events page today.