A 23 YEAR old woman who broke her pelvis in five places when the tractor and slurry tanker she was a passenger in overturned and slid down a hillside raised over £15,000 to thank the air ambulance crews who helped save her life.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was so impressed by Michelle Raines efforts to raise money and support the service she's now been given a special recognition award by the charity.

Michelle, from Harmby, near Leyburn, was a passenger in a tractor and slurry tanker, in August 2018, when it slipped down a hillside and overturned leaving her trapped and badly injured.

She said: "I remember seeing the trees at the bottom coming towards my boyfriend and me and then I shut my eyes. I remember him being thrown out of the cab somewhere on the journey, but my seatbelt kept me in the cab as it overturned. I can’t remember anything else until I arrived at the hospital."

Michelle had broken her pelvis in five places and was flown to Leeds General Infirmary, where she had immediate surgery. During recovery, she also suffered from a collapsed lung and pneumonia.

Michelle said: "Initially, my injuries affected me quite dramatically, both physically and mentally. I spent two months in a wheelchair which left my family running around after me and I became incredibly frustrated."

But on returning to work six months after the accident she turned that frustration into action, organising a huge charity fundraising ball. She said: "The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a fantastic and invaluable service, one that I am so grateful for. I am also grateful for the donations and fundraisers that keep this amazing service in the air, and anything anyone can do to give just a little to this very necessary service is very much appreciated as well as being vital to the charity. I was thrilled to even be nominated for this award, it was very unexpected."

Michelle was presented with the Patient Fundraising Ambassador Award by patrons Gaynor Barnes and Jon Mitchell at the YAA's recognition event.

Regional Fundraiser for the charity Lin Stead said the service is funded through the general public and needs to raise over £4.4m a year to keep the helicopter ambulances in the air so fundraising by people like Michelle was invaluable.

She said :"We were delighted to be able to recognise Michelle in our awards, we are truly grateful for her support and her dedication to the YAA."