The 2007 ‘Gravel Girls’ calendar will be launched on Wednesday 1 November at the Wales Rally GB (WRGB) media day at Walter’s Arena, one of the WRGB stages near Swansea. The calendar sees 2006 British Ladies’ Rally Champion, Kate Heath, who will be participating in Wales Rally GB (WRGB) from the 1 to 3 December 2006, baring all with fellow women British Rally Championship contenders in support of the Wales Air Ambulance Charitable Trust.
The “Gravel Girls” calendar aims to emulate both the fundraising success of the famous WI “Calendar Girls,” and also their fun style of presentation. But behind the frolics, there is a very serious aim. The calendar is the brainchild of Nicola Parker, an up and coming young rally competitor who suffered a severe head injury in a horrific rally accident last November. The crash could easily have proved fatal, but Nicola was rushed to hospital by the Wales Air Ambulance when rally rescue teams and other emergency services had freed her and her co-driver from the wrecked rally car.
Nicola, 28, is now fighting fit again and well on the way to recovery. Commenting on the important role of the Wales Air Ambulance service, she said: “They provide a life-saving service without any government help or funding. About 40 per cent of all incidents attended are Road Traffic Accidents. In the last 5 years they have responded to 5000 missions, and the air ambulance only works an 8 hour shift! This year they have been exceptionally busy and rescue missions have been double that of any other summer. Speed of rescue is paramount to the recovery of any casualty and I am sure that without being rescued by the WAA, my recovery would have been hindered. This is simply my way of giving something back and saying thank you.”
Rallying is one of the most exciting and action packed motorsports in the UK but, like any adrenalin-fuelled activity, it does not come without its risks. Indeed, the importance of air ambulance services to the whole motorsport community was highlighted recently by the air rescue of Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond. As a safety measure, the Wales Air Ambulance will be on call throughout Wales Rally GB, which is the UK leg of the World Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship final.
Commenting on the Gravel Girls calendar Mark James, one of the trustees of Wales Air Ambulance, said: “Motorsport thrives in Wales and the whole motorsport community have not been shy in their support of Wales Air Ambulance. We are very grateful for the efforts of Nicola, Kate and their colleagues and wish all the ‘calendar girls’ participating in Wales Rally GB a successful and safe campaign.”
The 2007 “Gravel Girls” calendar will be available to purchase by visiting www.gravelgirls.co.uk, or from motorsport mail-order giant Demon Tweeks, price £10 with all proceeds going to the Wales Air Ambulance charity.
