Father-of-two Dave Bennett knows more than most just how important the knights in flying machines are.

In February last year, Dave, who lives in Kirby Lane, was knocked off his motorbike into a ditch suffering severe injuries.

Fire service and the police made it to the scene, but the roads were so clogged with cars and lorries the ambulance just couldn't get through, and even if it had, it could have lost essential minutes taking Dave to the hospital.

So the helicopter was called in.

He said: "They were all brilliant, totally professional. All the emergency services worked like a perfect team, there was no-one questioning what needed to be done, it was just done.

"I was in a very critical position and the road ambulance couldn't get through because the road was blocked from both ends.

"That time when they can get you to the hospital is very important, the golden hour they call it. I was hypothermic by the time they got to me and I had spinal injuries so going on the road would have been very difficult so they called the air ambulance.

"My youngest daughter thinks it's great that I got to ride in a helicopter but I don't remember it because they gave me something to knock me out."

"I can't say for certain, but I think from the care I got, that's why I am sitting here today."

That's why Dave and his family are backing our campaign to get Derbyshire, Leicester-shire and Rutland Air Ambulance up and running.
He said: "It's very important people support it. You just never know what's going to happen and you certainly don't think it will happen to you.

"I would like to thank everyone involved with the rescue, they were all amazing.

"When I was in hospital the air ambulance people checked on me several times, but I haven't had a chance to thank them. It's nice to be here."