A HOSPITAL consultant and member of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, Ashburton, is setting off on a 100 Tor marathon to raise funds for two charities.

David Hutchins, 36, is aiming to run 100 miles and ascend at least 100 Dartmoor tors, continuously, self-navigating without GPS (map and compass only) with no outside assistance.

David is a consultant at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. His raising money for Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, Ashburton and Rowcroft Hospice, Torquay.

He aims to complete his marathon route around the moors on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5.

David grew up and went to school near Tavistock, so Dartmoor was his playground.

He is now using his specialist skills as a doctor in the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton, and earlier in his career, he worked at Torbay Hospital, where he was closely involved with the Rowcroft Hospice.

David said: ‘I now volunteer for the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton team, and previously had the honour of working with the Rowcroft Hospice, Torquay.

‘Both of these charities perform incredible and inspiring work 24 hours/day, 365 days a year... and always with a smile.

‘My reasons for doing this are simple: the Rescue team and the hospice have inspired me with their relentless endurance and perseverance of providing the highest quality of care to those in need. I am motivated to help them continue this work.’

Donations are critical to maintaining the life-saving service of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton.

The small team of volunteers relies on public and business donations for over 90 per cent of its income.

Without public support, the free search and rescue service to Dartmoor National park and the communities of south and east Devon would cease to operate.

The team’s basic running costs are at least £20,000 per year to perform their vital work.

Apart from searching for injured or lost walkers, cyclists, horse riders, and kayakers on Dartmoor, the team gets a number of callouts each year to rural and urban areas across Devon including Exeter, Torbay, Newton Abbot, Exmouth, and Totnes.

It also joins the other Dartmoor Search and Rescue teams when needed, and attends regional and national incidents.

The team are frequently called to search for vulnerable people such as dementia patients and despondents including suicide risks, and will turn out anytime day and night to help.

The police and the emergency services often don’t have the resources needed for the detailed searching required for missing person enquiries and now rely on search and rescue charities to assist them.

The team also provides support for many local events including Ten Tors and the Dartmoor Classic Cyclosportive.

The Rowcroft Hospice team are committed to making every day ‘the best day possible’ for people living with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon, and providing comfort and support to families coping with the hardest days.

Irrespective of diagnosis or circumstance the team are available to all those living with a life-limiting illness over 18 years old, and their families, completely free of charge.

More than 2,000 local people receive care and support from the hospice team every year, and four out of five of their patients are cared for at home.

David added: ‘This will be a huge challenge for me, going longer, harder, and higher (total combined ascent) than I ever have before.

‘I am excited and anxious, but determined to complete this mission to help those in need in the local community.

‘I have been training hard, but none of this would be possible without the incredible support and love from my wife and family; thank you. I am so fortunate.’

David has a donation page and thanks everyone for donating. All donations will be divided equally between the two charities and will make a huge difference to those in need.

Go to https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/the-dartmoor-100-tors-and-100-mile-adventure