In July 2016, I sustained a compound fracture of my femur in a cycling accident in Ruthin. Amongst many good people who helped me at the roadside, the Air Ambulance were amazing - even more so when you learn that they receive no official funding! I know others, especially field sports friends, who've also benefitted from this marvellous organisation. In June, it will be a year since my accident and due in no small part to the Air Ambulance, I'll be able to complete the 150 mile Coast-to-Coast cycling route with a group of friends. To be honest, it's going to be fun and I'm not pretending it's any kind of hardship or challenge BUT I'd like the focus to be on what the Air Ambulance does and the challenges they face every day just to stay in the air.and be in a position to get to incidents quickly, in order to treat accident victims at the scene. In my case, the appearance of an Air Ambulance Doctor at the roadside meant my seriously damaged leg was placed in traction far sooner than would otherwise would have been the case. In turn, this not only stopped my leg drastically shortening (they're short enough as it is!) it also significantly reduced my overall recovery time. I also received my first pain relief in two hours - something that simply wasn't available to the wheeled ambulance paramedics, who were also excellent - but it made for a far easier transit to hospital 20 miles away over the Clwydian mountains.
I totally respect that some people have their own preferred charities, so if you feel this falls outside your usual charitable giving, thanks for reading this anyway and no problem. I also wouldn't ask for anything more than a fiver as I want to make this an easy and quick decision. If even half of those I aim to reach give £5, I'll easily make the £500 target I've set. Thanks for reading this. Of course, I hope you never need the Air Ambulance but if you do, please help me ensure they're still there.