Bike trio off to land of clogs

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A teenager rescued by the Sussex Air Ambulance after a motorbike crash will set off on a cycle ride to Holland tomorrow (Tuesday) to raise money for the charity that saved him.

Luke Vater broke his right femur, knee cap and thumb and suffered third degree burns following a collision with a car on the A22 at East Grinstead.

It took the helicopter just 20 minutes to get to Luke and airlift him to East Surrey Hospital at Redhill where he spent nine days before he was eventually allowed home.

He spent months on crutches following the rush-hour accident last October and his weight dropped from12st3lb to 10st7lb.

Nine months on, Luke and friends Lewis Oliver and Gege Wilink will be pedaling 600 miles from Forest Row to Amsterdam and back to help keep the helicopter flying.

Luke, 17, of Lewes Road, said: “I’m really excited about it and I can’t wait to get going but also a little bit nervous.

“The Air Ambulance is amazing and I’m really thankful to them. I felt I needed to do something to raise money because I’m so grateful they saved my life.”

His mother Angie said: "His friends have been amazing. We had 10 to 15 people waiting every day when he was in hospital.

“It was like youth club city here when he was bedridden but he’s got his freedom back now he can cycle again."

The trio, who live in Forest Row, will be camping at night and aim to complete the trip in 10 days.

Their epic journey will take them through Dover, Dunkirk and Belgium before they reach Holland where they will stay with Gege’s family who live near Amsterdam.

Luke has been training for the ride by cycling the 24-mile round trip to his girlfriend’s home in Horley and 20 miles to and from Haywards Heath College where he is studying sport.

He decided to do a bike ride after doctors recommended the exercise to help him with his physiotherapy. He also enjoys Thai boxing and plays as a flanker for East Grinstead Rugby Club.

To sponsor Luke, Lewis and Gege visit www.justgiving.com/forestrowtoamsterdam where family and friends have so far donated £175 of their target sum of £500.

Debbie Gibbs wrote: “Best of luck Luke! I’ve got nothing but admiration for you. You are an amazing young man and I’m proud that my son has such a good choice of friends.”

Tony Norman added: “Hope you have an enjoyable trip and raise lots of money for a worthy charity.”