A Helston man whose heart stopped for eight minutes is urging people to help the charity that saved his life.

David Swift was airlifted by Cornwall Air Ambulance last year and is appealing to people to get involved in the charity’s Fund a Flight Week this September.

David, a former town councillor together with his wife Sue, was at work in Redruth on April 1 last year when a heart condition caused him to collapse and his heart to stop.

A colleague trained in first aid was able to start CPR whilst a land ambulance and the Cornwall Air Ambulance sped to the scene.

David said: “So many things came together on that day that meant I survived – my colleague knowing CPR, the land ambulance being nearby, the expertise of the teams who treated me at Treliske and Derriford, and the speed of the air ambu¬ lance. It was incredible. I was so lucky.”

David and Sue now volunteer for Cornwall Air Ambulance, attending fundraising events across Cornwall on the charity’s behalf. The couple are ¬taking part in the charity’s annual fundraising Fund a Flight Week from September 22 to 28 by selling daffodil bulbs throughout their local area, including at the Guildhall.

Communities, schools and businesses are being invited to join them and do something fun to keep Cornwall Air Ambulance flying.

The helicopter and crew have been kept busy over the summer, flying over 225 emergency rescue missions since the beginning of June.

David said: “The first thing I wanted to do when I left hospital was help the Cornwall Air Ambulance. Without it, I wouldn’t be here. It really is as simple as that. Now we want to do our bit, to make sure the air ambulance is there for other people in their moment of need. “That’s why we’re getting onboard with Fund a Flight Week, and we’re hoping other ¬people from across Cornwall will do their bit.”

Anybody can get involved in Fund a Flight Week, whether it’s a sponsored leg wax, a baked bean bath or a coffee morning.

To pledge support for Fund a Flight Week call 01637 889926 or go to ¬www.cornwallairambulancetrust.org/|

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