LESS than a year after a near-fatal car crash, Daniel Brackston will be running in the Bath Half Marathon on March 3 to raise funds for the Great Western Air Ambulance that helped save his life.

The crash happened on April 18 last year, when the car that Daniel was driving was involved with a collision with a lorry outside Hopewell Colliery on the B4226 road out of Coleford.

His father Shaun told the Review: "There is no doubt his life was only saved thanks to the fantastic work of the three emergency services, but had it not been for the Great Western Air Ambulance he certainly would have died.

"Daniel suffered serious head injuries and a broken femur together with a bruised lung and multiple lacerations. He was in a coma for just over four days, but, thanks to the care he received, he was back to full time work after nine weeks."

Despite not previously being involved in any sport – except, his dad jokes, for playing darts – Daniel has signed up for the half marathon, although he originally wanted to run the Forest Marathon, but was prevented by being in America.

His father said: "Daniel has never participated in any sport, particularly running, but wants to raise as much money as possible for the Air Ambulance Service – who are in need of replacing their existing aircraft. Daniel has been in training but his leg, which is still pinned, sometimes causes him discomfort."

The Gloucestershire Air Ambulance charity is currently aiming to raise £250,000 to enable them to replace their existing aircraft.

A justgiving web link was being created to enable anyone to send donations or sponsorship money to aid Daniel's support of the Air Ambulance: http://www.justgiving">www.justgiving. com/Daniel-Brackston