AN ENTREPRENEUR who raised £21,000 for the air ambulance service, which helped save his life has heralded an international equestrian event for backing the charity.

Michael Wood, from Boltby, near Thirsk, said the decision by the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials to choose the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its charity partner recognised how important the service was to those riding in North Yorkshire.

Mr Wood was nearly killed in June 2013 when his horse reared up and fell on him while he rode near his home, leaving him with multiple broken bones.

The 56-year-old was airlifted by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which needs to raise £4.4 million a year to keep both of its air ambulances in the air and maintained, to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where he spent more than a week fighting for his life in intensive care.

He said: “Bramham is a wonderful event and I’m delighted they have chosen the Yorkshire Air Ambulance which provides such a vital service for the horse riding community.

“When you do have a fall you are likely to be in a pretty inaccessible area for road ambulances to reach you.

“The service provided by the crew and paramedics is amazing and since my accident I have become only too aware of the support for the YAA charity among horse riders throughout Yorkshire.”