Daredevil nan’s wing walk for the air ambulance

9/6/11- Carol Graves, Kirsty Graves and Natasha Griffiths from Battle, who will be doing a parachute jump to raise money for the Sussex Air Ambulance.

Carol’s granddaughter Natasha Griffiths booked the surprise gift as her nan had always wanted to experience wing walking.

Natasha, of Battle Gates, Battle, said: “I explained to my nan last week about the experience to give her a little lee way for what was happening and for her to be prepared.

“When we told my nan what was happening she did shed a tear.”

The wing walk is scheduled to take place on May 27 at Headcorn in Kent.

Carol, who lives in Almonry Fields, decided to use her special birthday gift to raise funds for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance to thank them for saving Natasha’s life following a horrific car crash in Battle in 2010.

Natasha, then 17, was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital after the car she was travelling in struck a tree in Marley Lane.

A deer had run out in front of the vehicle 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.

Now aged 20, Natasha said the accident ‘changed my life’.

She said: “I am just finishing my course at Hastings College in Health and Social Care Level 3. In September I am starting an A-level biology course, so I can receive the correct grades to continue to Brighton University to study physiotherapy.”

In 2011, Natasha, her mother Kirsty and Carol raised over £2,000 for the charity with a sponsored skydive.

Natasha added: “We are looking at raising as much money as possible for the air ambulance as they are a wonderful charity-based organisation to help others.”

To donate funds to Carol’s wing walk, go online and visit

http://www.justgiving.com/Natasha-Griffiths3.

A spokesperson for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance said: “Natasha Griffiths is just one of the many patients who have survived and been able to return to her family and a normal life because of the skills of our specialist doctor and paramedic team.

“The air ambulance can only be there for those people like Natasha who need us because of the support we receive and we are enormously grateful to her and her family for the fantastic fundraising they have done since her accident, and continue to do.”