Explosion Survivor Encourages Support For Air Ambulance

A Market Harborough man who owes his life to the Air Ambulance Service will be the special guest at the charity’s Christmas Carol Concert in the town this evening.

Rod Martin suffered severe burns and serious injuries after an explosion at his garage workshop in St Mary’s Road in 2005.

After initially being taken to Kettering General Hospital, he was airlifted to a specialist hospital in Birmingham for urgent treatment – a journey that took just over 12 minutes and saved his life.

Rod’s deep gratitude for the lifesaving work of the air ambulance has led him to become a passionate supporter of the charity and he has raised over £30,000 for the cause since.

He will be speaking at tonight’s fundraising event at St Dionysius Church and is encouraging people to go along:

Rod Martin & one of the Air Ambulance Service helicopters

Rod’s journey to recovery was long and painful, but thanks to the expertise of medical teams and the quick response of the air ambulance crew, he was able to survive and eventually regain mobility in his leg, which was badly damaged in the incident.

His story is a powerful reminder of the critical difference the air ambulance can make.

From the moment of injury to the vital moments after, the service provides rapid response and pre-hospital critical care, saving lives and changing futures.

The Air Ambulance Service operates helicopters across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland and relies entirely on donations to raise the £2,300 needed for each lifesaving mission, as the charity receives no government or National Lottery funding.

Tonight’s Carol Concert is on between 6.30pm and 8pm will include two choirs performing Christmas carols, a tombola, refreshments, craft stalls, and a special In Memory stall selling candles and baubles to honour loved ones.

Morgan Turnbull, Junior Events Manager at The Air Ambulance Service said: “We hope you can join us to spread Christmas cheer, reflect on the lives of those we’ve lost, and support the ongoing work of The Air Ambulance Service.

“Together, we can ensure that more lifesaving missions are possible across our communities.”

Tickets for the Market Harborough Christmas Carol Concert are available to book online: https://events.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/event/air-ambulance-christmas-carol-market-harborough