AN entrepreneur - who raised £21,000 for the air ambulance service which helped save his life - is one of several fundraisers to receive recognition from the charity.

In June last year Michael Wood, from Boltby, near Thirsk, was nearly killed when his horse reared up and fell on him, leaving him with multiple broken bones.

The 55-year-old businessman was airlifted by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Following his recovery, he raised £21,000 for the service.

He was honoured with a Supporters Award at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) Recognition Awards held recently at Aspire in Leeds.

Other fundraisers, volunteers and supporters from across North Yorkshire were recognised.

Ken Sharpe, from York, spent three years campaigning to stop the YAA and other air ambulance services having to paying VAT on their fuel.

His e-petition attracted 160,000 signatures, which led to a parliamentary debate on the issue. In this year’s budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced VAT exemption for aviation fuel – a decision that will save YAA around £10,000 a year.

The YAA has to raise £9,990 every day to keep the life-saving service going.

The awards also honoured Sean McPartland who, with three friends, cycled 1,300 miles from his home in Birstwith, near Harrogate, to Rome in 13 days.

Husband and wife Dennis and Wendy Whittle, who run the Old Hall Caravan Park in Boroughbridge also received an award for their fund-raising. Melanie Devine, from Harrogate received a Volunteer Award in recognition of her dedicated work for the YAA.