A MOTORCYCLIST who survived a horrific road smash is to ride the length of the UK to raise cash for the people who saved his life.

Scott Wilson-Mayor, 28, said he could have died after being knocked off his bike in a head-on collision near Clitheroe four years ago.

But after seven weeks in hospital and a series of operations, Scott, of Devon Street, Darwen, is to ride 875-miles from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for the North West Air Ambulance.

Dad-of-two Scott was injured in June 2004 on the A59 when a car travelling the opposite way crossed the middle of the road and collided head-on with his bike.

He suffered huge injuries, including breaking both legs, and said he would almost certainly have lost his right arm had the air ambulance not taken him to Royal Preston Hospital so quickly.

He got to the hospital in seven minutes, a trip that would have taken at least 45 minutes by road.

Scott said: "They saved my arm and maybe even my life.

"They managed to get me to hospital as soon as possible and that made all of the difference.

"It costs a lot of money to keep the air ambulance operating and I owe them everything.

"Now I am much better, I wanted to do something to pay them back and show them how grateful me and my family are."

Scott, who works as a mechanic for the BCC Group in Stancliffe Street, Blackburn, will complete the ride over the Easter weekend of March 21-24. They will double the 875 miles by driving to Land's End from Darwen and then back again from John O'Groats.

He will ride a specially adapted Suzuki GSX-R750 which allows him to rest his injured arm. There is a cruise control setting and an adapted throttle.

Scott added: "It will be a great achievement and it is by far the furthest I have ridden since the accident."

He will complete the ride with his father Peter, 54, who will be on a Yamaha FJR 1300, and is hoping to encourage many of his friends to join them.

Scott's partner Leanne Mashiter, 25, is nervous about the ride but hopes the event will raise a lot for the air ambulance.

Leanne, an admin worker at Royal Blackburn Hospital, said: "We believe without the air ambulance Scott could have died and would have lost his arm.

"The air ambulance is funded by donations so we want to raise awareness of the good work they do and how desperately they need support through donations."

For details or to get involved visit the website below.