A young woman who was thrown ten feet into the air after being hit by a car on a busy Hampshire road has donated £40,000 to support those who helped save her life.
Steph Blake was left with serious head injuries and a broken jaw following the crash on the A35 Totton Bypass in June 2018 while she walked to work from her home in Eling.
Within eight minutes of the 999 call, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance medics were at the scene administering urgent care at the side of the road before Steph could be taken to Southampton General Hospital.
Now the 26-year-old has expressed her gratitude with a five-figure gift to the life-saving charity - enough to fund another 12 emergency missions.
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Steph, who also volunteers for the charity helping raise awareness, told the Daily Echo: "I hold Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance so close to my heart. If the helicopter wasn't dispatched, I wouldn't be here today.
"We are all so lucky to have this charity with a phenomenal team. Before I got hit I thought the helicopter was just the same as the road ambulance. It wasn't until I was a patient that I understood how important this service was.
"It makes me happy that my donation will be used to save many more lives, just as past donations helped save my life.
"I can't put into words how much admiration I hold for them. They will always be my heroes.”
Richard Corbett, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance CEO, added: "Steph’s contribution goes far beyond funding a further 12 missions – she is a constant reminder of why people’s support for our service is so crucial. Having a past patient who was inches from death attend events and represent our charity with a smile on her face is an inspiration to us all.
"Nobody knows when or if they’ll need an air ambulance, but thanks to Steph’s kindness and generosity, we can continue to be there for those who do.”
The charity, which has headquarters in Nursling, has responded to more than 1,500 call-outs so far this year.
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