A BIKER involved in a horror smash in a remote forest has raised almost £1,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance (GNAAS).

Father-of-one, Paul Parker, from Houghton-le-Spring, was out riding at Slaley Forest in Northumberland when he was seriously injured in January this year.

The 42-year-old was biking with two friends when he came off the road on a tight bend in the forest and veered into a grassed area.

The collision left him unable to move as he had sustained a fractured pelvis. North East Ambulance Service paramedics called for help from the GNAAS team who flew Mr Parker to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary within 19 minutes.

Mr Parker raised £930 through a 25.6 mile charity cycle from Slaley Forest to the RVI, where he spent 11 days recovering from the accident.

He has now visited the charity’s airbase in Langwathby, Cumbria, along with his wife Julie and daughter Aimee to hand over the cash and thank GNAAS doctor Jo Paterson, who was at the scene of the crash.

Mr Parker, an offshore electrical supervisor for Shell, said: “I just wanted to thank the service for coming to my aid. Without it, there are many people who may not be here.

“Everyone involved with my care that day and to date have been exceptional.

“GNAAS are worth their weight in gold. It is a brilliant and crucial service."

Daughter Aimee, 11, added: “I’m just so happy they came to rescue my dad.”