A BRANSGORE paramedic seriously injured in a fatal ambulance crash has helped to raise more than £150,000 for the Hampshire air ambulance.

The team of 37 air ambulance supporters, including Richard Riley from Bransgore, will embark on the six-day trek to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on Saturday.

The team, who have spent the past year fundraising and preparing for the climb, have raised £153,000 with funds still coming in.

Community fundraiser James King, who has led the hugely successful campaign, said: “I am incredibly proud of our team, who have worked extremely hard throughout the year, organising fundraisers and taking part in training weekends. They have been an inspiration and have surpassed all expectations.”

Richard Riley was caring for patient Francis Ironside in the back of the ambulance when the crash took place on the A337 Brockenhurst to Lymington road in 2013.

Paramedic Gillian Randall, 42, and 88-year-old Mr Ironside were killed in the collision after the ambulance veered off the road and into a tree.

Mr Riley suffered a broken neck, broken back, broken arm, punctured lung, broken ribs, broken shoulder and damaged spleen as a result of the incident.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance chief executive Alex Lochrane said: “It is amazing that this first overseas challenge by the fundraising team has been such a great success.

“As always, the stories behind everyone’s participation are both moving and inspiring and we are hugely grateful for the breath-taking efforts of all the participants who have raised a truly stunning £153,000.

“On behalf of everyone, I want to send them my very best wishes for a successful, safe and totally memorable experience.”