A 39-year-old dad from Iron Acton has embarked on a 1,100-mile bike ride to raise money for the charity that ‘saved his life’.

Daniel Coles, was rescued from the Mendips by the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity after a horror bike crash in March 2015.

He lost control going downhill and hit a brick wall at around 30mph.

In just under 10 minutes, an air ambulance had arrived with two critical care paramedics.

It was believed that Dan, an Environmental Impact Assessor, had sustained a possible skull fracture and was sedated to protect his brain from further damage and swelling while en-route to the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

When he arrived at the hospital it was confirmed that he had a bleed on his brain, a broken pelvis, broken shoulder and a broken wrist.

He had also dislocated his thumb.

Dan spent three weeks in hospital, undergoing surgery and treatment for his injuries, before undergoing months of physiotherapy.

Now though, just over four years on from the horrific incident, Dan has begun an 11-day non-stop cycle challenge which will see him make his way from Land’s End to John O’ Groats.

He embarked on the 1,100-mile ride last Friday and has raised money for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity after they helped ‘save his life’.

“Their quick response and excellent care saved my life,” said Dan, an environmental impact assessor.

“That is why I wanted to do something to help the charity. They are the reason that I am still here.”

It is not the first charity challenge that Dan has taken on.

He completed the Bristol to Bath Marathon just seven months after his accident, raising £700.

“When it’s tough I’ll focus thoughts on my wife and children and the fact that I’m able to do this sort of thing

after my accident,” he continued.

“There is also my stubborn streak to rely on as well.”

For more information, visit Dan’s fundraising page,

justgiving.com/fundraising/dan-coles5

.