On 28th January 2014, five-year-old Tarun Gill witnessed an event no young child should ever have to see. While in the bathroom with his nine-month-old baby sister, Amber, she nearly drowned. Tarun's family immediately knew something was terribly wrong and called for help, sparking what would become the most frightening and traumatic day of his family's life.
Amber was critically ill and came frighteningly close to losing her life. Among the first emergency responders to arrive on scene was volunteer EMICS clinician Dr Matt Woods. Providing specialist pre-hospital emergency care at a moment when every second truly counted, Dr Woods helped deliver the critical interventions needed to save Amber's life.
“Dr Woods was that person for us. What happened that day was one of the most frightening experiences our family has ever been through. In those moments, you feel completely helpless and you simply put your trust in the people who arrive to help you. We will forever feel indebted to him, and to EMICS, for being there for Amber when she needed urgent care the most.”
Reflecting on the emergency and Tarun’s incredible effort, Dr Matt Woods said:
“As EMICS clinicians, we respond to patients on what is often the worst day of their lives, focusing entirely on providing immediate, critical care. To see Amber thrive and to watch Tarun take on this challenge years later is deeply moving. Hearing how much that day stayed with their family, and seeing Tarun channel it into supporting our charity, means the world to all of us at EMICS.”
Thankfully, Amber survived and made a full recovery. But for Tarun and his family, the memory of that day—and the volunteer clinician who came to their aid—never faded.
Now, years later, Tarun is lacing up his running shoes to take on the Nottingham Robin Hood Half Marathon on Sunday 27th September. While his initial goal was to raise £1,000 for EMICS, the overwhelming generosity of supporters across the region means he has already smashed his target! Every single penny raised beyond this milestone will go directly towards helping ensure other families across the East Midlands receive that same life-saving support in their most desperate moments.
As an independent charity receiving zero NHS or government funding, EMICS relies entirely on donations, grants, and personal fundraising to keep our volunteer clinicians equipped with specialist equipment, medications, and training.
“The fact that there are highly trained clinicians who give their time to provide immediate care in situations where every second matters is something I don’t think you truly appreciate until you find yourself in that position. I’m running this one for Amber, for EMICS, and for the next family who might one day need them as much as we did.”
Everyone at EMICS would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Tarun for sharing his story and taking on this challenge, as well as to everyone who has donated so far.
Show your support for Tarun and keep his incredible fundraising momentum going by visiting his JustGiving page: justgiving.com/page/tarun-gill-1