VIDEO & GALLERY A fundraising group has made a triumphant return home after raising vital funds for the medics who saved a much-loved mother's life.

A FUNDRAISING group has made a triumphant return home after raising vital funds for the medics who saved a much-loved mother's life.

Proud husband Rob Holmes walked into Ipswich's Christchurch Park yesterday with friends and family to a rapturous welcome from their loved ones after a blister-inducing walk from Cambridge to Ipswich, which raised more than £2,000.

The walk was in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Addenbrooke's Hospital, after doctors and staff from both organisations helped save the life of Mr Holmes' wife Lisa.

The 39-year-old mother-of-one suffered horrific head injuries when she fell under a bus in Tacket Street, Ipswich, in February.

Thanks to the care she received she was well enough to welcome the walkers as they arrived at the park following their gruelling 60-mile trek.

She said: “I'm so proud of them all. I'm pleased that they're home now.

“I'm glad they've raised enough for the hospital and the ambulance service.”

Mrs Holmes said the sight of her 36-year-old husband “hobbling around” during the walk had almost reduced her to tears.

Friends and family were on hand to welcome the group to Christchurch Park, where they had a picnic to celebrate their achievement. It was a double celebration as the group was also marking the first birthday of Mr and Mrs Holmes' daughter Ciara, now 18 months but because of the accident the family had been unable to properly celebrate her first birthday until now.

Mr Holmes, who was joined on the walk by his brothers Chris and Andy, nephews Joshua Midson-Holmes, Charlie Holmes and Jack Holmes, and his friends Steve Smith, Sarah Smith, Kara Redman and Julian Bunting, said: “It has been brilliant. Everyone who has been involved, either walking or supporting, has done us proud. They have gone out of their way to help.

“We only got lost once on the first day and that added an extra four miles on.

“The walk was as hard as I expected and I got blisters after about two hours.”

Mrs Holmes, of Whitethorn Road, Purdis Farm, spent 99 days in hospital but returned home in May and is making good progress.

To donate money to East Anglian Air Ambulance visit www.justgiving.com/longwalkhome or to donate to Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, visit www.justgiving.com/longwalkhome2.

Are you taking part in a charity event? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk