A Hampshire paramedic who lost his friend last year is planning to cycle around North Hampshire’s ambulance stations in his memory.

Daniel Hiscock will be riding the 89 mile round trip in memory of Christopher Ealden, a fellow paramedic who sadly took his own life last year. Daniel said that he wanted to do something in his memory to bring support to fellow frontline workers.

“I thought it would be a big achievement to do a big bike ride going to and visiting all the ambulance stations in North Hampshire,” he said. “I can achieve something for charity while also pushing myself.”

Chris and Daniel met three years ago when both were training to be paramedics with the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS). They became good friends through work.

“Tragically, Chris committed suicide last year,” Chris said, “so I wanted to do something in his memory on the anniversary of his death for The Ambulance Staff Charity.”

The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC) supports current and retired Ambulance Services personnel and their families on issues including mental and physical well-being. It provides counselling, therapy and other services to support those on the frontline of the NHS, a significant amount of whom suffer with conditions such as PTSD.

Daniel said that he had started riding during lockdown as a way of working with his own mental health, and is now looking to use that in his challenge.

“It’s been a difficult year for everyone,” he said. “I’ve got into cycling so decided to visit every ambulance station in North Hampshire on one day.”

He will be doing his challenge on July 25, a year on from Chris’ death. He’s planning on starting in Andover, then visiting Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Alton before heading towards Eastleigh and then returning to Andover.

“Due to restrictions I can’t be turning up inside,” he said, “but I will be trying to get pictures outside and with them if there’s anyone around.

“I’ve got contacts with the charity [TASC] and they’re going to help do posts as I go around.”

Daniel hasn’t attempted the ride yet, and is planning to go in cold to the route.

“I didn’t want to cycle it beforehand and then go I can do it in a set time,” he said, “so I’m going to start at 8am and see what time I get home.”

Though he’s yet to complete this challenge, Daniel is considering future plans to raise money, with the possibility to make this challenge an annual event in Chris’s memory.

“Eventually I would like to go to all the Hampshire stations, including Portsmouth and the New Forest,” he said. “I’ve not sat down and worked out the mileage but it’s probably over 100 miles. “And if that goes well, I’ll maybe do a ride between the headquarters of the SCAS, one in Banbury and one in Otterbourne.”

If you’d like to donate to Daniel’s fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/daniel-hiscocktasc