A MAN who needed emergency surgery to re-attach his arms after they were severed when he fell into an industrial blender at work has praised the North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) at the launch of a campaign to raise funds and awareness.

Operation Alfie was launched yesterday (Wednesday) to remind people that the NWAA is a charity and needs £75,000 a month to stay in the air.

Paul Kelly, 49, of The Cloisters, Leyland, knows only too well the invaluable service the NWAA provides. He was rescued on February 12, 2002, after he fell in a blender and had his arms and one of his legs severed. He said: "I slipped in and it was still running. I thought it was the end but then the machine cut out.

"I realised my arms and leg were severed and I was losing too much blood. It was a real emotional rollercoaster but I was euphoric when they pulled me out."

It took three minutes to get Mr Kelly from his workplace, Tilemaster Adhesives Ltd, Whittle-le-Woods, to Royal Preston Hospital for life-saving treatment, and a then further 17 minutes to Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, for specialist surgery. Both his arms were re-attached, but his leg was too crushed to be saved. Doctors used his big toe to replace one of his thumbs.

He said: "If it hadn't have been for the ambulance, I just wouldn't be here.

"I don't think they realise the profound effect they have on people's lives."

These days Mr Kelly is an active fund-raiser for the NWAA.

At the launch at the Grasshoppers Rugby Club, in Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, Jose Booth, president of the Longton branch of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies, presented £10,000 to paramedics from money raised after a flower festival at Stoneyhurst College, near Preston, in August.

Justin Mawtus, paramedic for the NWAA, said: "We're really pleased to have the money.

"A lot of people don't realise we are a charity and if it wasn't for people's generosity we couldn't rescue people like Paul."