A MAN who lost the use of his legs in a motorbike crash will hand-cycle the Berlin Marathon in aid of the charity which saved his life.
Sean Love, 43, of Cramlington in Northumberland, came off his bike while riding between Alston and Brampton, Cumbria, in 2011.
The father-of-three lost control of the bike and was sent careering into a dry-stone wall. He broke his back in three places, fractured ribs and sustained a punctured lung.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service flew to the scene and after the charity’s medics treated Mr Love, he was flown to Newcastle Royal Infirmary.
He remained in intensive care for two weeks before being transferred to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. Afterwards, he spent six months in spinal ward rehab.
Mr Love, a father-of-three, said: “I couldn’t have had my accident in a more rural location. The air ambulance came to my rescue when I was in desperate need.”
Mr Love recently made the trip to visit GNAAS paramedic Paul Burnage, who treated him on scene.
Mr Burnage, himself a keen motorcyclist, said: “It was great to meet Sean and his family. It is inspirational to see a person coming back from such an injury with such positivity.”
Mr Love is planning on competing in the 40th BMW Berlin Marathon to raise money for the charity. He will peddle the three wheel hand-cycle with his arms. The 26 miles challenge takes place on September 29th
He has already raised more than £1,000, but is keen to add to his total. If you would like to donate to Mr Love’s challenge please visit: https://www.createanddonate.co.uk/to/2013-berlin-handcycle-marathon/
Mr Love’s ride comes at the end of GNAAS’ Air Ambulance Week, an annual fundraising and awareness raising week.
To mark the occasion, the charity is giving away bears to all new regular givers throughout the month of September.
Mr Love said: “I am totally behind Air Ambulance Week. We need to do everything we can to support this service.”
For more information, visit www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/aaw
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