A man whose life was saved by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) is set to cycle over 800 miles through Canada to raise money for three charities.
On bank holiday Monday in August 2013, Tim ventured out on his bike through Owslebury, near Winchester. As he and his friends travelled down Whites Hill at approximately 30mph, Tim collided head on with a telegraph pole, breaking his neck, back, his left scapula and nearly all of his ribs. He also had a bleed on the brain and lost his short-term memory.
With a number of life-threatening injuries, the air ambulance team was called in to provide Tim with the best possible outcome. Tim was sedated on scene and taken to University Hospital Southampton where he spent a week in the trauma unit before being released to spend the next three months recovering.
Tim says:
“Without them, I wouldn’t be here today. What they did on the roadside saved my life. Looking back, you realise how fragile life is and the impact this might have had on my wife and family. I have five wonderful children and today am blessed with five grandchildren with two more on the way. Things could have been so different.”
On Wednesday 6 July, Tim and nine of his close friends will be putting tyres to tarmac as they hop back on the saddle and travel 800 miles from Calgary to Vancouver over nine days.
He adds: “As a charitable organisation it is important for me to get back on my bike and raise money for them. Each mission costs on average £3,320, and with the rising cost of living this is only going to increase in the future. It is therefore imperative we do all we can to support this incredible charity.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Director of Income and Engagement, Keith Wilson, says:
“Tim and his close friends and family have had a remarkable impact on this charity over the years. And we are incredibly grateful that they continue to support us and our patients. There is no doubt that there are families still together because of the unwavering dedication from Tim and those who have supported him. We wish them all the best as they venture through Canada.”
Tim and his cycling companions have previously completed cycling challenges from London to Paris and the length of France from Caen to Cannes, raising over £180,000 for HIOWAA and MND in the process.
To support Tim and his friends on their challenge, visit their fundraising page.
