A BRANSGORE medic who was critically injured in a fatal road crash has set his sights on climbing Africa’s highest mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro.

Richard Riley aims to raise more than £4,000 for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, who he believes saved his life.

He was caring for a patient in the back of an ambulance when the incident happened in 2013.

He suffered a broken neck, broken back, broken arm, punctured lung, broken ribs, broken shoulder and a damaged spleen.

Richard said: "The training has been very tough at times and I've tried to push myself, to see what my limits are.

“My main challenge is that I still get a lot of back and neck pain so my biggest hurdle to overcome will be dealing with the pain, which I am learning to live with."

In spite of his injuries, for which he is still receiving treatment, Richard will fly out to Tanzania next month and hopes to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on February 13.

To prepare for the challenge Richard has climbed Mount Snowdon several times including three times in one weekend alone, as well climbing Tryfan, another challenging mountain in Snowdonia twice, and hiking in the Brecon Beacons.

Richard is being assisted with his publicity by the Bransgore Community First Responders.

Deputy co-ordinator Jackie Russell said: "Rich faces enormous personal challenges, firstly to get himself as fit as he can, and then to climb the mountain.

“Yet he is focussed on doing this for the benefit of others who, one day, may need the air ambulance in the same way he did.

“We hope as many people as possible will support him."

To make a donation go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardRiley80 or by sending a text 70070 making the first word HEMS56 followed by the donation amount.

Alternatively, call Bransgore Community First Responders on 0844 500 9699. To keep up-to-date with Richard’s progress visit his Facebook page facebook.com/RichardRileyClimbingKilimanjaro.