A RETIRED farmer is taking on the Great North Run to raise funds for the charity that came to his son’s rescue after he became trapped under a wagon.

Seventy-eight-year-old Allen Armstrong hopes to raise £1,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) by taking part in the half marathon on Sunday, September 11.

It his way of thanking the charity for coming to the aid of his son, David Armstrong, following an accident at the latter’s agricultural engineering business at Copley in Teesdale, County Durham, on May 23.

David, 55, had been working under a wagon when the vehicle slipped off a jack and fell on top of him.

His workmates leapt into action and quickly jacked the machine back up to release David who was trapped underneath. Another dragged him to safety and dialled 999.

The father-of-two suffered serious leg injuries and was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by GNNAS.

David said: “I don’t know quite what went wrong. It was a shock. All the work lads were tremendous so they deserve credit.

“The air ambulance seemed to get here so quickly. I have nothing but admiration from the staff at James Cook to the medics on board the aircraft. I have been very humbled by the whole experience.”

David had his right leg plated and pinned and is currently recovering on crutches at home.

Speaking of his father’s upcoming feat, he said: “He is an inspiration. Just brilliant. I’m very proud of him.”

Allen, who hopes to raise enough to “pay” for his son’s airlift, has been running four to six miles every week to train for 13.1-mile run from Newcastle to South Shields.

He said: “This is my tenth Great North Run and I’m looking forward to it. I wanted to raise funds to thank GNAAS for what they’d done. They do a magnificent job.”

David said the family had already supported the charity through fundraisers in the past, adding: “I just didn’t think I’d need it myself one day.”

GNNAS owns three helicopters and provides air ambulance services across the North of England.

It is 100 per cent charitably funded and must raise more than £4m a year to keep flying.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “I believe Allen is our oldest ever runner and we can’t thank him enough for his effort and determination. Best of luck for the day.”

To sponsor Allen visit justgiving.com/AllenArmstrong

For more information about GNAAS visit greatnorthairambulance.co.uk