Three family members are preparing to run a marathon to raise funds for the Essex Air Ambulance after the charity-funded service saved the life of their teenage relative.

Last April Jordan White, then 17, fell 30 feet through the roof of a derelict warehouse in Rowhedge, Colchester and suffered a severe head injury, internal bleeding and several broken bones.

Doctors from the Essex Air Ambulance administered vital treatment on the scene before Jordan was rushed by air to the major trauma centre at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

Jordan initially spent weeks in a coma but is now well on his way to recovery following an extensive period in rehab.

The actions of the service has spurred his father, Kevin Grant, his mother Mary and uncle Noel to sign up to run the Brighton Marathon on April 6 for the charity that relies on donations from the public for its survival.

Mr Grant, of Colchester, said: “Soon after the accident we decided rather rashly and in a moment of enthusiasm to run a marathon and raise funds, and over the weeks and months Jordan’s example has been our main training aid. When I have wanted to give up, I am bound to think of the constant effort Jordan has put into getting better.

“We are proud to be raising money for the Air Ambulance - it is an honour to support these amazing people whose only safety net is you and other people like you, who support them on their work.

“I will never be in the helicopter saving someone’s life - however by raising money I know that a very tiny little piece of me is up in the air making a difference.”

The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust, which operates the service, has a number of places available for people who would like to run the Brighton Marathon and raise money for them.

The registration fee is £25 plus a minimum fund raising target of £400 is required. For more details contact Jenny MacPherson on jenny.macpherson@EHAAT.uk.com or 0845 2417 690.