THE family of a boy who was taken to hospital by air ambulance last year have given back to a cause which helped to save his life.
Joshua Johnson was 10 in June 2018 when he fell off the top of his climbing frame in his back garden at Crossfield Drive in Hindley Green.
His suffered serious injuries to his left arm and wrist with damage also caused to a main artery.
Joshua was with his dad Geoff, 58, who rushed to his aid before dialling 999 and asking help from his neighbour, a paramedic.
After ambulances arrived, medical staff decided he would need to be sent to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by helicopter.
The air ambulance which landed in Hindley Green last year before taking Joshua to Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Not long after the incident, Joshua’s mum Angela, 46, and his sister Chloe, 13, got home.
Angela said: “There was ambulances, paramedics and blood everywhere - it was terrifying.
“I got in the air ambulance with Joshua and it took just seven minutes to get to the hospital.”
Joshua underwent a seven hour operation and then spent a week at the hospital.
He was treated with morphine to help with the pain.
His arm movement has made good progress in the last year as he continues his recovery.
After learning that North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) is a charity, the Johnson family organised a challenge to raise funds for a cause that done so much for them.
On June 29, Angela, Chloe and Chloe’s friend Rebecca Hartop walked from the field where the air ambulance landed last year to Alder Hey.
The 20-mile journey took seven-and a half hours to finish.
The walkers make it to East Prescot Road, where Alder Hey Children's Hospital is based
Joshua and Angela with surgeon Colin Bruce, Chloe and Rebecca
On Alder Hey's helipad
Three of Angela’s work friends, Brenda Basson, and Sara and Eva Clarke completed part of the journey too.
Joshua joined them for the last two miles as well before they were greeted at the hospital by family, friends and staff, including surgeon Colin Bruce, who was involved in Joshua's surgery.
“It was a fantastic walk even though it was a boiling hot day and very hard work,” Angela said.
“It is amazing to be able to say thank you to people who saved Joshua’s life.
“I just had to thank the air ambulance staff in the way they were making sure we were OK from start to finish.”
The Johnson family on holiday
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Angela also reserved praise for the hospital.
A crowdfunding page was set up in aid of NWAA with other events organised such as a cake sale at St James Daisy Hill CE Primary School, where Joshua attends.
His auntie Kay, a mobile hairdresser, held a raffle and Angela’s workmates set up a hamper competition.
Altogether, £2425.09 was raised and the family were treated to a tour of Barton Airfield on August 12 before they presented the organisation with a cheque.
Angela added: "As a family we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored us.
"The amount raised exceeded all of our expectations."
Presenting the cheque. From left; Rebecca, Chloe, Joshua, Angela and Jennifer Tunstall from NWAA
The family will have a stall at the East Lancs car boot sale in Astley on Sunday, September 15 in a bid to make it over the £2,500 mark.
To donate to the crowdfunding page click here.
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