THE wife and daughter of a Mick Ballantyne, who survived a life-threatening crash while racing for Hereford-based cycling team NFTO in July, are raising money for the air ambulance service that saved him.

Mr Ballantyne collided with a steam engine during a race in Cambridgeshire, sustaining serious injuries to his head, chest and leg which would hospitalise him for three months.

On a Just Giving page for his wife Lisa and daughter Amy’s upcoming biathlon, the pair paid tribute to the role of the East Anglian Air Ambulance in his rescue.

A statement on the fundraising website said: “The initial medic assessments indicated that his injuries made survival highly unlikely.

“The crucial factor in his survival was the immediate treatment provided by the charity launched East Anglian Air Ambulance.”

The page also notes the fantastic support he has received from friends and family over the last three months.

Lisa and Amy Ballantyne will be taking part in the ‘9Bar Chilly duathlon’ near Bristol on November 23, and have already raised more than £1,100.

For more information or to donate visit www.justgiving.com/Amy-Ballantyne/.