On June 4th last year, I was in a training accident at Warcop Army base. Three of us were in a vehicle which rolled over. Whilst one of us was lucky to be left barely harmed, I was severely injured and my other colleague and friend, Sgt. Mark Foley, was killed.

Although a horrific experience, the outcome could have been far worse had the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS) not come to our aid. The team arrived within 12 minutes and we were airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough; I was taken to intensive care where I was in critical condition in a coma for 3 days. Left with a punctured lung, a broken jaw, 5 broken ribs, my spine broken in 4 places and neck broken in one, doctors said that the chances of me surviving were very slim. 

But with the help of the team at James Cook, my family and my colleagues, I pulled through. 11 days later, I left the hospital in a wheelchair and returned home. 

I know I have been extremely lucky to survive. Sgt. Foley was an irreplaceable loss to both his family and the Light Dragoons regiment, and he will never be forgotten. Tragedies like this occur too often in the armed forces, often leaving families struggling and unable to continue to look after themselves. The Light Dragoons Colonel's Appeal is our regimental charity which supports families through these difficult times by providing them with financial and emotional support; support that my own family, and that of Sgt. Foley's, experienced first-hand. 

1 year on and still recovering, it's my turn to help the people who saved my life and supported my recovery. If GNAAS had not arrived as quick as they did, I would not be here today. Starting on June 2nd, I begin a trek of 84 miles and will cross Hadrian's Wall on June 4th, marking exactly a year since the accident. This is a personal challenge of travelling this far in 3 days and 2 nights that I have set myself to celebrate my recovery and remember those who aren't as fortunate. 

My aim is to raise £1000. Half of everything I raise will be given to GNAAS, and the other half to LD Colonel's Appeal (please see the note below). Please support me through this challenge to help these charities continue to save lives and support the families of injured, and killed, soldiers.

Thankyou for taking the time to read  my story and please, please consider offering your support. I know that anything you can donate will help out considerably.

LCpl Josh Osborne

*keep checking back to my page for updates and photos of my recovery and training*

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any donations made through JustGiving will go to GNAAS. To donate to the Light Dragoons Colonel's Appeal, please use the link below and leave a message in your donation stating "Hadrian's". 

http://www.ldcolonelsappeal.com/howToDonate.asp

(more information on the accident and the 2 charities can be found here):

Warcop Accident: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2648753/One-soldier-died-two-injured-training-accident-military-vehicle-rolled-army-base-Cumbria.html#comments

Recovery: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27839303

GNAAS: https://www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/

LD Colonel's Appeal: http://www.ldcolonelsappeal.com/