A FRIZINGTON woman is raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance in memory of her dad.

Sophie Kelly, 22, is organising a charity night on Friday, July 8 at Whitehaven's Marchon Club which will include a band, DJ, buffet and raffle.

She was previously involved in a serious three-car collision in 2011 when travelling in a car with her father, Kenneth Kelly, and her then-partner, Scott Musgrave. A vehicle pulled out of the junction in front of them, causing her dad to swerve onto the opposite side of the road and hit an oncoming car.

They were subsequently helped by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who was in attendance with two of its helicopters, the Pride of Cumbria and the Guardian of the North.

Sophie said: “I tore my liver and spleen. Scott tore his spleen and had a hole in his bowel and my dad fractured his right hip, broke his right ankle, sprained his left ankle and damaged a tendon.

“Without the charity, I don’t believe we would have survived, so I thank them with every inch of me for saving our lives.”

Sadly, Kenneth died on November 12 last year. As a result Sophie is continuing to fundraising for the Great North Air Ambulance.

She said: “In a speech at my dad’s funeral, I spoke about how he reminded me of Santa because he was never selfish. He was a loved family man with a funny character.”

To buy tickets, for the over 18s event, contact 07702099920/07710272388 or visit The Marchon Club.