SATURDAY, June 19 will be a special time for Devon Air Ambulance fundraiser Simon Brassington, who was training for his first ultra-marathon (100km) in July to say thank you to DAA after it assisted his dad, David, twice.

The first time David Brassington, of Copplestone, needed help was in 2015 when he was knocked off his motorbike, and, most recently, at the end of 2020, when he was hit by a car when out cycling.

Simon’s dad was stabilised on scene and airlifted to hospital to receive further treatment for his injuries.

Training was going well for Simon until Monday, March 22.

On that day a serious accident occurred at his workplace.

A dumper truck that Simon was operating suddenly tipped.

At this point, Simon found himself in need of urgent critical care.

Careful assessment at the scene showed that he had sustained a fractured skull and he was airlifted to Derriford Hospital to undergo emergency neurosurgery to remove a blood clot on the brain.

After a successful operation Simon was kept in an induced coma for two weeks, before being transferred to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and eventually Mardon Neuro Rehabilitation Centre.

Ten weeks after his accident, Simon returned home to continue his rehabilitation and therapy in the community and is making encouraging progress each day.

Simon’s brother Matthew said: "Thanks to the actions and quick response time of Devon Air Ambulance and the emergency services Simon was given the best chance for recovery.

"For now, his entry into the ultra marathon has been deferred to allow time for recovery and rehab.

"As a way of honouring the donations Simon has received so far and encouraging further donations whilst he’s recovering, myself and 20 of his friends and family are all taking part in a relay to cover the total distance that Simon was planning to run (100km), each of us running 5km."

HOW TO DONATE

For one family to have needed critical care of specialist doctors and paramedics courtesy of Devon Air Ambulance on three different occasions and for different reasons is incredibly unusual if not unique.

The relay will take place tomorrow, Saturday, June 19 and Matthew and his family and friends would love to brighten Simon’s day with news of extra funds being donated, especially as Simon thought that following his accident, his hopes of any more support would come to an end.

If you would like to support the Brassington family (and friends) with their 100km challenge, please visit their fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-brassington-daat .

Look out for the runners between Aller and Copplestone tomorrow (Saturday).