A former patient is helping to front a festive raffle after surviving a major road traffic collision.

Stephanie Thorp was involved in a head-on collision at 50mph in 2023 and is now supporting Thames Valley Air Ambulance's Christmas Raffle, which raises vital funds for the charity.

During the crash, the air ambulance crew delivered critical care at the scene, including anaesthetising and intubating her to protect her airway, managing multiple open fractures, and starting urgent blood transfusions.

A second Thames Valley Air Ambulance vehicle delivered more blood to the scene, and she received eight units in total—nearly her entire blood volume.

Ms Thorp said: "On paper, I shouldn’t have recovered so well.

"I’m incredibly lucky that Thames Valley Air Ambulance managed my injuries from the start, stopping loss of oxygen to the brain and sedating me to prevent further damage.

"It’s because of these people that I am still here.

"My son still has a mum. My husband still has a wife.

"Thanks to Thames Valley Air Ambulance, I’ve been given the chance to grow old."

The charity shared the story as it released new figures showing that from January 1 to October 31 this year, its paramedics and doctors were called to 332 road collisions—more than one every day.

Amanda McLean, chief executive of Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said: "After such a life-changing incident, Stephanie has made incredible progress and we’re so pleased for her.

"We’re very grateful to her for lending her voice to help us not only raise awareness of road safety but also raise funds for our lifesaving charity.

"As a charity, every mission we attend is funded by the generosity of the public.

"Playing the Christmas Raffle gives you the chance to win big, but it could also give someone like Stephanie the chance to grow old."

Ms Thorp is also using her story to promote road safety as part of Road Safety Week, which runs from November 16 to 22.

She is fronting the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Christmas Raffle, which offers supporters the chance to win one of 100 prizes, including a top prize of £5,000 and a second prize of £1,000.

Tickets cost £1 each.

The charity is encouraging the public to support the raffle and help give others the same second chance that Ms Thorp received.