A FATHER has raised money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) after his son was involved in a motocross accident which left him unable to walk for more than five months.

Simon Rendell, 36, from School’s Close, Mendlesham has raised �500 for the EADT’s Lifesaver Appeal after cycling from London to Dunwich overnight with his friend Ben Simmonds, 27, of Stowmarket.

Mr Rendell’s son, Liam 12, a Bacton Middle School pupil, was racing at the Besthorpe Motocross Track in Attleborough in Norfolk, on June 1 last year, when he hit a ditch going at 30mph and broke his leg and hip.

An air ambulance was immediately called for, but was going to take 25 minutes to get there, so paramedics drove Liam to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

There, Liam underwent a four hour operation by a specialist surgeon but was then bed-bound for two months as his bones healed while they were in traction.

Speaking about the importance of the EAAA, Mr Rendell said: “In that situation they could not come to us; we saw how vital it is. You take it for granted until you need it and it opens your eyes to how important it is.”

Once Liam was home he had to wait a further three months before he could attempt to walk again.

Mr Rendell and Mr Simmonds, who work together at Timberwolf in Stowmarket, set off from London at 8.15pm on June 30, and arrived in Dunwich the following day at 6.15am, having covered 120 miles.

They rode as part of the annual fundraising event, the Dunwich Dynamo, which 1,500 people took part in this year.

So far they have raised �1,000 which will be split between the EAAA and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital’s children ward.

To donate through Mr Rendell and Mr Simmond’s Justgiving page, go to www.justgiving.com/coppersforchoppers