A PARAMEDIC from Bransgore who was seriously injured when the ambulance he was travelling in was involved in a collision, is climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for the charity that saved him.

Richard Riley, 33, above broke his neck, his back, his arm and his ribs plus his shoulder. He suffered a punctured lung and a damaged spleen.

The driver and the patient Richard was caring for were killed in the collision in April 2013. Mr Riley says he owes his life to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and the trauma doctors on board that day.

Recovery is ongoing but he has set himself a major challenge. He is going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in February, to raise £4,000 for the charity.

Mr Riley said: “My family and I are truly grateful for the amazing care and medical treatment I received from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and as a result I have set myself the challenging goal of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

He added: “I hope to raise as much money as possible for the air ambulance to enable it to continue flying to people when they are most in need of help.”

The Bransgore Community First Responders are supporting Mr Riley in his quest.

Group co-ordinator Mike Jukes said: “We feel it is now time we tried to get him support from as many people and businesses in the area as we can.”

Follow Mr Riley’s preparations at facebook.com/ RichardRileyClimbingKilimanjaro. Donations can be made at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardRiley80 or by sending a text to 70070 making the first word HEMS56 followed by an amount. Those without the internet and who wish to make a donation or discuss sponsorship can leave a message on 0844 500 9699.