I was trampled by cows in 2017.

On the down side, I ended up with a cartoon lump on my head, a broken fibula, broken/bruised ribs and assorted other injuries.  You can read about it here: http://cwherald.com/a/archive/man-trampled-by-cattleaims-to-repay-his-rescuers.479720.html 

On the upside, I encountered the most amazing group of people who helped me out, all without question:

• the man who encountered me and my dog, smeared in cow pats, with me confused and beginning to lose it who drove to somewhere where he could get mobile signal to report the accident
• the people in Garrigill Post Office who calmly ushered in me and my dog (despite our appearance), wrapped me in a blanket and gave me best hot sweet tea I have ever tasted as we waited for help
• the nurses in the nurse led treatment centre at Alston Cottage Hospital (perpetually under threat of closure) who triaged me, recognised the potentially serious nature of my injuries (lump on my head the size of a goose egg, and weirdly swelling leg to name a few) and arranged for me to be transferred for treatment
• the flight and medical crew of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNASS) who assessed me and made the decision to take me to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle in difficult weather conditions
• the trauma team at the RVI who admitted me and worked out what was wrong with me (no skull fracture, despite the lump, broken/damaged ribs and a broken fibula).  That was like ER
• the orthopaedic teams at the RVI and Freeman Hospital who looked after me and kept me under observation after my accident.

It left me feeling lucky, beyond measure, that they were there for me that day.  As it sunk in, it also left me feeling that it is so patently wrong that hospitals serving small, remote communities should be under threat and vital assistance to provide the air ambulance is met, in its entirety, by charity funding without government input.

The cost of my jaunt in the helicopter was about £5,000 and so I'm going to pay my way and raise/repay that by way of my direct debit with them and anything I can top up from elsewhere by way of donation from good folk like you.  I ran the Great North Run this year and, so far, we sent over £1,900 to #GNAAS - thanks so much to those who’ve contributed to that.  

I was keen to raise awareness of what happened to me as it’s not as rare as you might think and the outcome is often tragic.  I’ve been on television (Emergency Helicopter Medics) and wireless (BBC Newcastle) and most of the North East Press.  

Thanks for reading - I’d appreciate it if you could put a few quid into the pot and share the story.

Happy trails, Michael

#ThisIsWhyIRun