A BIKER involved in a horror smash has handed over funds to say thanks to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) which rescued him from a remote forest.
Father-of-one, Paul Parker, from Houghton-le-Spring, was out riding at Slaley Forest in Northumberland when he was seriously injured in January this year.
The 42-year-old was biking with two friends when he came off the road on a tight bend in the forest and veered into a grassed area.
The collision left him unable to move as he had sustained a fractured pelvis. North East Ambulance Service paramedics called for help from the GNAAS team who flew Paul to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary within 19 minutes.
Paul has now visited the charity’s airbase in Langwathby, Cumbria, along with his wife Julie and daughter Aimee to hand over £930 in gratitude.
They personally thanked GNAAS doctor Jo Paterson who was at the scene of the crash.
The money was raised after Paul tackled a 25.6 mile charity cycle from Slaley Forest where he was rescued, to the RVI, where he spent 11 days, to mark his journey and to raise funds for the life-saving service.
Paul, an offshore electrical supervisor for Shell, was joined by friends and colleagues, and received donations from the Shell Charity Committee Fund as well as friends and family.
He said: “I just wanted to thank the service for coming to my aid. Without it, there are many people who may not be here.
“Everyone involved with my care that day and to date have been exceptional.
“GNAAS are worth their weight in gold. It is a brilliant and crucial service.”
Daughter Aimee, 11, said: “I’m just so happy they came to rescue my dad.”
To find out how you can help GNAAS this Christmas, visit our page here.
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