A MAN who was airlifted to hospital after a serious road traffic collision will take on the Total Warrior challenge in aid of the air ambulance which flew him to hospital.
Bradley Airey, 23, was airlifted by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), after the car he was travelling in slipped on diesel causing it to leave the road and hit a tree, near Devil’s Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, on May 15 2011.
Mr Airey, from Kendal, suffered a fractured skull, broken femur and dislocated thumb along with other minor injuries in the collision which left him in intensive care at the Royal Preston Hospital for 48 hours. He had a metal plate placed in his leg and spent a further 11 days on a ward in recovery.
Mr Airey said: “I ended up with some pretty serious injuries. I was cut from the vehicle and airlifted to Preston. I just managed to make it home in time for my 18th birthday.”
When Mr Airey returned home, his bedroom was relocated to the lower floor of his house due to poor mobility as a result of his injuries.
However, he has gone on to make a full recovery and has now returned to full fitness and plays cricket and has joined a gym.
He said: “If it wasn’t for charitable donations, the Great North Air Ambulance wouldn’t even be able to fly. I am extremely grateful for everything they did that day to help me.”
Mr Airey’s cousin, Sam Walker, also from Kendal, said: “It was a bit of a shock to everyone in the family because as soon as you hear the words ‘air ambulance’ you know it’s bad, but you don’t know how bad.”
Mr Airey and Mr Walker are taking part in the Lake District Total Warrior challenge on August 6-7.
Mr Walker said: “This is a great opportunity to get involved and raise money for charity.
“Without GNAAS, my cousin wouldn’t be here.”
To support the pair, donate to their JustGiving click here.
Bradley Airey and Sam Walker
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