A TEENAGER whose face was shattered in a car accident as a child has bounced back - and will be competing in one of the country’s biggest equestrian events next month.

And she has extra reason to celebrate riding at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials - as the event has chosen the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its chosen charity.

Nine years ago Charlotte Leighton’s life was saved by the airborne emergency charity after being knocked down by a car outside her home in Tollerton, near Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

She was flown to hospital in ten minutes flat – a journey that would have taken about 40 minutes by road.

“If I had gone by land ambulance it might have been too late,” said Charlotte, now 19.

She was left with multiple fractures to her forehead, eye sockets, jaw and leg and underwent pioneering facial reconstruction surgery.

Now a hairdresser and beautician, she is still undergoing treatment – with an operation in August that will involve breaking her upper jaw and putting in a titanium plate before bone grafting and implants.

But Charlotte’s injuries have never stopped her from living life to the full. She took up horse riding at the age of 12 and, with younger sister Serena, regularly competes in show jumping events across the country.

Now she and Serena, 15, are both taking part in the Bramham International Horse Trials between June 11 and14.

Charlotte - now a registered volunteer for the YAA - and her family and friends have raised more than £200,000 for the helicopter heroes over the years.

“Bramham is such a fantastic event and it’s such an honour to compete there, to ride in that arena, with all the surrounding stalls and marquees,” she said.

“It’s a very special atmosphere and I’m just delighted that they have chosen the Yorkshire Air Ambulance as its charity this year.”

Proud mum Sue said: “Everyone gives so generously to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance because it’s a service that’s here for us.

“You never know when you are going to need it and it’s always there when you do. We never thought we would need the air ambulance but if it wasn’t for them, Charlotte would not be here today.”

The charity needs to raise £12,000 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air - equivalent to £4.4 million a year.

Thousands of people are expected at Bramham over four days to watch eventing, show jumping, showing, young stock classes and Pony Club activities as well as enjoying family attractions and 160 trade stands.