A Garway man who was airlifted to hospital when he was just seven years old, following a car accident, has raised more than £2800 to say thank you to the Midlands Air Ambulance charity.

Rob Jones and his sister Laura, who was four years old, were seriously injured when a car hit them in St Weonards on October 31st, 1999.

Their father, Keith, who was crossing the road with them was also injured in the accident on the A466 Hereford to Monmouth road.

Rob, who is now 23, was taken to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol by the Midlands Air Ambulance in just six minutes. Getting to hospital is such a short amount of time helped save his life. And to say thank you, Rob arranged a fundraiser where 30 people raced up and down a foggy Garway Hill six times.

Rob told the Ross Gazette:?“There was a big mix of age groups, from seven-year-olds through to an 80-year-old. My granddad did the climb up and down three times, it was really great.

“A lot of people said do it again next year. That would be great as every year it puts a positive twist on it, rather than saying 16 years ago today I was involved in an accident – it is celebrating the good work the air ambulance do.

“The air ambulance was able to save my life due to their quality of service and speed."

The A466 had a 60mph speed limit at the time of the accident and the motorist that hit Rob was travelling at 63mph.

He was in hospital for three months and was told he would not eat, walk and talk again.

But with the help of medical professionals and his own determination he is now back to good health.

The speed limit in the village where the accident happened has now been reduced to 30mph.

Mr Jones added: “It was brilliant to walk on Garway Hill with friends and family, without them I probably wouldn’t have got better or had such a big recovery.” Rob is currently working at South Hereford Garages.

There was also money raised from the Charity Quiz and Auction held at the Garway Moon on Sunday, November 29th.

There is still time to make a donation for the air ambulance to support Rob visit fundraising.midlandsairambulance.com/hillclimb