Grandmother fundraises for GNAAS after crash at Chesters Roman Fort

Lyn Murray, 73, from Haltwhistle, said: “I spend 50 per cent of my life gardening so I might as well use my hobby to help somebody.”

The money was donated to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) which airlifted Mrs Murray after a crash near Chesters Roman Fort in 2013.

Lyn and Terry (Image: Supplied)

She said: “There was a farmer in a field nearby who didn’t see the crash but heard it and then saw something fly through the air.

“He said it looked like either clothes or a person so it must have been me. He called 999 and said I was breathing funny and put me in the recovery position until someone came.”

Mrs Murray’s vehicle had left the road and overturned, leaving her with multiple serious injuries.

Lyn's plants (Image: Supplied)

The critical care team from GNAAS flew to the scene and assessed and treated the grandmother-of-six before airlifting her to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where she spent three weeks recovering.

Mrs Murray decided to sell plants from her allotment to raise money for GNAAS and donated £5,000 to the charity, which is the average cost of a call-out.

The family chatting to Terry (Image: Supplied)

She said: "A neighbour put up a polytunnel for me and another lady. I was wondering what I was going to do with it. Then it just came to me that I should grow plants for GNAAS.

“I’m really pleased and extremely grateful for all the support I have been given by local people. Free plants, free pots, free seeds, free compost bins, even a free garden chair in vivid pink.”

Mrs Murray visited GNAAS’ base in Langwathby, Penrith, and was reunited with paramedic Terry Sharpe who treated her on scene ten years ago.

Mrs Murray added: “I was brought up to thank people if they helped. GNAAS not only helped me, they saved my life. I can’t walk, run or cycle very far at my age, but I can look after plants, so it was an obvious way to repay them.”