We did it!

On Saturday we cycled  from the air ambulance base in Cumbria to the air ambulance base at Teesside Airport to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

I completed my cycling challenge with Natalie Hodgson and Paul Webster on the second anniversary of my accident, and hope to raise at least £2500 - the average cost of a rescue.

The ride was just over 80 miles in pretty horrible conditions. I think we rode for about 30 minutes when it WASN'T raining! I've updated this page to include some photos to give a flavour of our day. We completed the journey in under 12 hours - I suspect it will take me a bit longer to recover!

I would like to thank all those who have donated to this cause - and Helen and Pat for being a great support crew! 

The air ambulance service runs entirely on charitable donations so your support is essential to keep it running.

 

Why did we do it?

On Wednesday June 16th 2010 a car turned across in front of me and I was knocked off my motorcycle on the way home from work. I was badly injured and I think its safe to say that the Air Ambulance played a big part in saving my life.

My neck was broken in three places. I suffered a broken shoulder and a broken pelvis. My left arm had multiple fractures and my right wrist smashed. I also suffered severe contusions to my lungs, fractured my left leg, damaged ligaments in my ankle, had detached tendons in my hand...etc etc. I had the the usual array of cuts and bruises you would associate with this type of accident, and managed to bite off parts of my tongue - and chipped my teeth. My good looks ruined! (Luckily when I woke up my eyes didn't work very well so I couldn't tell...) I spent three weeks in intensive care and seven and a half weeks in hospital.

I don't think I would have enjoyed a bumpy ambulance ride to James Cook so can't thank GNAAS enough!

It is well known that what happens in the first 20 minutes or so after an accident has a major effect on the outcome for the patient. The Cumbrian air ambulance was with me very quickly - life saving service? I suspect so!

Thankyou for looking at my page, I hope you will donate to such a worthwhile cause.

Andy

 

 

 

 

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