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A Co Antrim woman who had her kneecap removed after a horror crash is taking on an epic challenge just one year on.

Rebekah Jones, from Ballymoney , was badly hurt in a crash in July last year and had to be saved by the Air Ambulance NI team.

She suffered an open fracture in her leg, spinal injuries, a fractured cheekbone, serious concussion and a shattered kneecap. The injuries to her kneecap were so extensive that it had to be removed.

Now she is taking part in the air ambulance charity’s 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for the team who worked so hard to save her.

She is calling on others to get involved as she takes on Mount Slemish, one of Northern Ireland’s most well-known peaks. The event will see supporters take on one, two or three of Northern Ireland’s famous peaks this September in aid of the charity.

"I still don’t know how someone was able to get me out of that car," she said.

"I owe so much to the HEMS team and I wanted to get involved in the 3 Peaks Challenge because I genuinely believe that I owe the team my life.

"If it wasn’t for air ambulance, I may not be here today, so this is my chance to give something back. I’m asking everyone to join me in taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge to help other people who might one day need the air ambulance like I did."

The charity, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), provides the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the region and responds to seriously ill or injured patients 12 hours a day, 7 days per week. Air Ambulance NI has been tasked more than 900 times since its inception in July 2017.

Rebekah will take on Slemish in Co Antrim on Saturday, September 28, as part of the 3 Peaks Challenge, which is taking place during Air Ambulance Month.

Other peaks included in the challenge are Slieve Donard in Co Down , on September 14, and Cuilcagh in Co Fermanagh on 21 September. Participants can choose one, two or three of the peaks as part of the event.

Kerry Anderson, Head of Fundraising, said: “We would like to thank Rebekah for getting involved in the 3 Peaks Challenge and we are confident her support will encourage others to sign up to climb. We’re asking people from across Northern Ireland to sign up for the 3 Peaks Challenge, whether you’re new to hiking or you’ve climbed all three peaks before.

“We need donations from the public as it costs £2million per year to keep our vital service running. The air ambulance is a doctor and paramedic service, so it’s crucial in cases of emergency like what Rebekah experienced. We can’t wait to see people across Northern Ireland take on the three peaks for a worthy cause.”

To register for the 3 Peaks Challenge or to learn more about AANI, please visit: airambulanceni.org , go to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland’s Facebook page, call 028 9262 2677.

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