Crash survivor raises £2k for her lifesavers

Natasha Griffiths, 18, along with mum Kirsty Graves, 35, and grandmother Carol Graves, 61, took part in the skydive at Headcorn Airfield in Kent to raise money for the Sussex Air Ambulance.

Natasha was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital after the car she was travelling in struck a tree in Marley Lane, Battle, on January 28, 2010.

Natasha and baby brother Joey were passengers in a car being driven by her mother.

A deer suddenly ran out in front of them and Natasha’s mother swerved to avoid the animal but lost control and collided with the tree.

Natasha bore the brunt of the impact and suffered internal bleeding, a smashed pelvis, 11 broken ribs and a broken wrist, arm, leg, ankle and finger.

When she arrived at hospital, the doctors did not think Natasha would survive the night.

She was in a coma for five weeks and was not released from hospital until the end of April 2010.

Natasha then had to learn how to walk again.

But 18 months after the crash, Natasha, who lives in Coronation Gardens in Salehurst, decided she wanted to give something back to the team who saved her.

Speaking about the skydive, Natasha said: “It was quite exciting and when I was up on the plane and I saw my mum and nan fall out I was a bit scared.

“We were doing tricks in the air when they opened up the parachute.

“I’m definitely going to do it again.”

She added: “My nan enjoyed it, but my mum said she is never doing it again because she was so scared!

“But she enjoyed it in the end.”

Initially Natasha was aiming to raise £250, but instead managed to pull in £2,000, with donations still coming in from friends and well-wishers.

And the former Claverham Community College pupil is already planning some more fundraising events in aid of the Sussex Air Ambulance.

Natasha has plans to arrange a music concert to help boost funds.

She says she wants to raise as much money as she can before the end of the year when she plans to hand over the funds to the crew who were flying that day.

Natasha has already donated £500 to the cause after Take A Break magazine paid her to tell her story of her miraculous survival.

And she also raised £50 by holding a stall at the Battel Bonfire Boyes Summer Fayre.

Natasha thanked everyone who has supported her.