Cllr George Jabbour, Chair of North Yorkshire Council, has completed the 190-mile Coast-to-Coast walk, raising more than £4,200 so far for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
The challenge, which runs from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire, saw Cllr Jabbour face gale-force winds from Storm Floris as well as high summer temperatures. He began the trek on 2 August, completing it in two stages: the first over 10 days, and the second over eight days, finishing this week at Robin Hood’s Bay where he was welcomed by the charity’s mascots, Pilot Percy and Paramedic Polly.
Cllr Jabbour said: “It has been a wonderful experience, and I have really enjoyed it; it’s given me a huge sense of achievement. Walking over 190 miles through such varied conditions has been both challenging and rewarding, but knowing I was raising money for such an important cause has kept me motivated. Even though the Coast-to-Coast challenge covers a huge distance, it is only a tiny proportion of the area the YAA has to cover every day. That has really put things into perspective and made me even more determined to continue supporting their vital work.”
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance serves five million people across the region, attending over 1,300 missions last year. The charity receives no direct government funding and relies on public donations to maintain its service.
Katie Roberts, Director of Relationship Fundraising at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “We would like to congratulate Cllr Jabbour on completing this incredible challenge. Walking 190 miles is no small feat, and we are so grateful for his dedication in raising both vital funds and awareness for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The support we receive through challenges like this ensures we can continue saving lives across Yorkshire.”
The Coast-to-Coast trek is one of several fundraising efforts planned during Cllr Jabbour’s year as Chair. His next challenge will be the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Three Peaks Challenge in September, alongside other supporters and members of the air ambulance crew.
Supporters are encouraged to participate in future YAA fundraising events, including the next Three Peaks Challenge in 2026, or to organise their own challenges to raise money for the service.
Donations to Cllr Jabbour’s fundraising can be made through his JustGiving page. More information about Yorkshire Air Ambulance and its work can be found at www.yaa.org.uk
