Seatoller to Castle Crag

Clare meets Jamie Stott, an Emergency Medical Technician, for a circular walk to Castle Crag in the Lake District. Joining them are members of his North West Ambulance Service walking group which he founded in 2025. Jamie wanted to give colleagues, friends and family a chance to explore the fells together. The routes vary from gentle valley trails to steeper climbs which Jamie always reccies alongside Ellie his Springer Spaniel.

As a child, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and inspired by the care her received, Jamie wanted to become a nurse. However a dramatic event where he intervened to help save a man’s life made him change course. He became a Volunteer First Responder, while working in the care sector, then left that career to train fulltime as an EMT. He’s now part-way through his Paramedic apprenticeship.

Jamie says that the walking group offers a rare chance for ambulance staff from across Cumbria to decompress and share stories away from the pressures of twelve-hour shifts. They met in Seatoller, Grid Ref NY245137, and spent much of the time hiking in the pouring rain... although spirits remained high throughout!

Presenter: Clare Balding
Producer: Karen Gregor