Former Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby international James Hook has completed his 100-mile hike for the lifesaving Wales Air Ambulance charity, after setting off from the seaside town of Tenby to take on ‘Hooky’s Hike’.
James has a personal connection to the Wales Air Ambulance after they saved the life of his youngest son, Harrison, and became an ambassador for the lifesaving service back in 2021.
After seeing the Charity’s appeal for supporters to join their annual fundraiser, Walk Wales, which coincides with the Charity marking 50,000 missions, the Welsh Great decided to take on his own version of the event – Hooky’s Hike which saw James tackle 100 miles over five days this month, aiming to ‘raise awareness and funds’ for the Charity.
James said: “The Wales Air Ambulance Charity is incredibly close to mine and my family’s heart. On the day that I proposed to my wife, Kim, they flew to the aid of my son who was just a baby at the time. They’re about to embark on 50,000 missions, and my son is one of them.
“I have been an ambassador for a few years now, and this is my opportunity to give something back through raising awareness and funds.
“I really hope that we can raise a lot of money in the process, and that the public will support my challenge because you never know when you or your family may need the Charity’s help.
The Charity hopes that James’ epic challenge will encourage supporters to take part in their own Walk Wales event.
Walk Wales is an annual fundraiser which allows participants to walk, jog or run, different distances each year, whilst raising funds. This year, to mark the milestone of 50,000 missions, the Charity is asking supporters to walk, run or jog 50 miles throughout the month of June.
James started his challenge at the Wales Air Ambulance Charity shop in Tenby on Upper Frog Street on June 4, and headed towards Laugharne to complete day one.
On day two he left Laugharne to Kidwelly; and then onto Llanelli the following day.
Day four saw Jame hike to Rhossili; before his last 20-mile stretch on the last day of the challenge saw him walk to the seaside village of Mumbles.
Welsh Air Ambulance crew members and a few past patients too, joined him along the way!