Rennie, Rucksacks and 160 Miles for GNAAS

A Douglas woman who took on a fundraising challenge as part of her recovery from major surgery has smashed her target, and even popped over to meet the team she was supporting.

Suzanne Potts, 48, decided to take on the Great North Air Ambulance Service’s ‘Whirlybird Walkies’ challenge back in May, which asks people to walk throughout the month with a dog in tow.

One small twist. Suzanne doesn’t actually own a dog.

Fresh from extensive surgery to treat stage 4 endometriosis, a huge operation that put a stop to her amateur strongwoman training (yes, she really used to pull trucks for fun), Suzanne was looking for a goal to get her moving again.

A friend, Laurie, sent her the challenge and even kicked off the donations.

From there, Suzanne became the Isle of Man’s unofficial ‘Dog Borrower-in-Chief.’

She walked with Laurie’s dog Rennie, with other pals’ pups, and, on the dogless days, carried two stuffed toy Labradors in her backpack.

They were in honour of Rennie’s late brothers, Finlo and Alfie, and also quite the conversation starters.

Suzanne had initially pledged to walk 60 miles. She ended up doing 160.53. As you do.

‘We’d be walking in the middle of the Wirral and strangers would see a crazy lady with two toy dogs hanging out of her rucksack.

‘They were intrigued to know what it was all about, and after coming up to speak to us a few of them donated.

‘It was really important for us to get the miles in and promote the service.’

Her partner Richard joined her for many of the miles, and together they helped raise a brilliant £1,274 for GNAAS, a charity Suzanne says is a ‘lifeline’ for the Isle of Man.

To top it all off, Suzanne, Richard and Rennie visited GNAAS HQ on a recent trip, enjoyed a brew at Hangar 63, toured the helicopter base and even met one of the doctors.

‘We did not think in our wildest dreams that we would be able to have a tour.

‘So we were just blown away and thankful for the opportunity to meet doctor Alex, the charity’s wonderful staff and volunteers.

‘Everyone made us feel so welcome.’