Why I’m fundraising for the GWAAC

Three years ago, I was working alone on scaffolding at gutter height. While cutting roofing material with a disc cutter, the scaffold plank I was kneeling on suddenly snapped. I was tipped under the guard rail and fell,landing head-first onto a heap of stone below.

There was no time to break my fall using my arms — I was desperately trying to switch off the disc cutter.

Suddenly I was in a life-threatening situation with the kind of injuries that can deteriorate rapidly without immediate specialist care.

I suffered a head injury, two spinal fractures, and a broken, displaced breastbone, leaving me struggling to breathe. It was like I had an elephant sitting on my chest. Somehow I managed to crawl 50m+ to raise the alarm.

The Great Western Air Ambulance delivered the specialist trauma care that I needed, got me stabilised and on my way to hospital. Without them the outcome could have been very different. Their fast response also brought tremendous comfort to my wife and daughter at a very stressful time.

The cost of a single mission for the Air Ambulance is £2,200, so that is the target.

By donating, you’re helping ensure the Air Ambulance can be there for the next person who has a bad day that turns into a life-threatening one.

In celebration of my amazing recovery, part of which I believe was attributed to ballroom dancing, we have hired the iconic W-S-M Winter Gardens Pavilion Ballroom and the Dave Hankin Big Band, to put on what we hope will be the dance event of the year.

Thank you for your support!

Mike.