A man left with serious injuries after a fall at work says he has the Great North Air Ambulance to thank for his recovery.

Kevin Johnston, 58, from Carlisle, suffered multiple injuries – including a spinal fracture, broken ribs and other back injuries – during the workplace fall on December 23 last year.

It was so serious that the air ambulance was called out.

The Pride of Cumbria crew assessed and treated Mr Johnston, who has two daughters, Carol-Ann and Lisa, before he was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The flight took just 13 minutes – a journey that by road would have taken about one hour and 20 minutes.

Nearly five months on and he has made an almost complete recovery from injuries that could potentially have been life-changing.

Carol-Ann said: “My dad’s accident happened just before Christmas, so Christmas day was definitely not the same.

“I remember having to call my dad in his hospital bed twice that day with him being all the way in Newcastle. It just wasn’t the same.”

But now that he is home and on the mend, the family decided it was time to give something back to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

So Miss Johnston, a 25-year-old retail worker, and her family are hosting fundraising night this evening.

Taking place at the city’s Conservative Club, it will include a disco, raffle, buffet and a ukulele band.

Carol-Ann said: “This is the first time I have fundraised for GNAAS.

“They helped my dad, so now is my chance to say thanks to them and raise money for a charity that relies on public donations to keep it going.”

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “I would like to wish Kevin a speedy recovery.

“I hope that the fundraising night goes very well and is enjoyable for everyone involved. The funds raised will help to keep the aircraft operating across the region.”

The GNAAS is a registered charity which relies on fundraising and donations to keep its aircraft – including the Penrith-based Pride of Cumbria helicopter – in the air. They cover a wide area, including Cumbria, the north east and north Yorkshire.

The crews, with specialist medics, respond to life-threatening and potentially life-threatening incidents, such as road crashes, serious illnesses and accidents on the fells. All money raised is used to maintain the aircraft and cover essential costs.

To support GNAAS and the event visit www.justgiving.com/prideofcumbria .