Two Emergency Medical Advisors (EMAs) from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) are preparing to take on one of the UK’s biggest hiking challenges later this summer to raise money for The Ambulance Service Charity (TASC).
On Sunday 7 June 2026, colleagues Ellie Shiell and Ellie Mowbray will attempt the National Three Peaks Challenge, aiming to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (978m), and Snowden (1,085m) – within just 24 hours.
They are hoping to raise £1,000 for TASC and, as of Friday 23 January 2026, have already reached £465, with donations continuing to come in.
About TASC – The Ambulance Service Charity
TASC is a national charity that supports the health and wellbeing of the UK’s ambulance community.
It was created to ensure that ambulance staff, volunteers, and their families have somewhere to turn during difficult times, offering specialist help designed around the unique pressures of working in emergency care.
Why both Ellies chose to support TASC
They explained: “TASC is one of the many support networks available to us at EMAS, and it feels right to continue championing their mission.
“This work ensures they can be there for us whenever we may need them – so that in turn, we continue being there for our communities during their most frightening and challenging moment of calling 999 for help for themselves or a loved one.
“We’ve spoken to colleagues who have accessed TASC, and they’ve shared how the charity has helped them and their families through bereavement, mental health challenges, physical rehabilitation, and financial wellbeing.
“Resilience is essential in emergency care but sometimes maintaining it requires a little extra support. Having that support when we need it helps us continue to provide the best possible care for patients when they are at their most vulnerable.”
Finding support through personal connections
For Ellie Shiell, joining EMAS last year meant relocating from Leamington Spa to Nottingham.
She said: “Although my managers and wider team were incredibly supportive as I settled into the role, I was still a little overwhelmed at first – learning processes, finding my feet, and not knowing many people yet at that time.”
During her training she met Ellie Mowbray, and the pair quickly formed a strong connection.
Ellie Shiell added: “We bonded through our shared interest in mental health support for colleagues and patients, as well as a mutual passion for health and fitness.”
This friendship became the spark that inspired them to take on the Three Peaks Challenge – and to open the experience up to others.
Encouraging others to get involved
The pair are inviting colleagues from across EMAS – and even staff from other ambulance services across the UK – to join them for the challenge, whether that’s completing all three peaks or just one.
They said: “We’ve always been passionate about health and fitness, because we know the positive impact it has on our own mental health and wellbeing.
“We originally planned to do the challenge just the two of us, but once we decided to fundraise for TASC, we realised it was a great way to bring people together.
“By doing this as a team, we hope to create new conversations and connections between colleagues who might not otherwise cross paths.
“While EMAS already provides lots of helpful support resources to us, this challenge provides another chance to feel part of something, build a sense of belonging, and remind one another that no one has to face difficult moments alone.”
How to support the challenge
You can support the fundraising efforts by visiting the GoFundMe page set up by Ellie Shiell.
If you’re a member of staff or volunteer for a UK ambulance service and wish to join the challenge, you can contact Ellie Shiell via the GoFundMe page and clicking the ‘Contact’ button.