A father of two has finally been able to personally thank the Kent Air Ambulance pilot who helped save his life.
Jim Gilbourne was left fighting for his life after being hit by a car while walking to church with his children in 2008.
Paramedics spent an hour on the scene treating him before he was airlifted to a specialist hospital in London.
Mr Gilbourne suffered severe head injuries, a broken eye bone, facial injuries, and broken collar bone, ribs, leg, foot and ankle.
His family were told to prepare for the worst, but just five weeks later he was discharged from hospital.
The 45-year-old, of Wilson Avenue, Chatham, is now raising money for the Kent Air Ambulance by taking part in the Double 100 Bike Challenge. Jim said: "The event coincides with the third anniversary of the crash so it seemed like a great thing to do to give something back for the work the Kent Air Ambulance did to save my life.

As he prepares for the 100-mile bike ride on July 3, Mr Gilbourne has been to visit the Kent Air Ambulance base in Marden with his wife Hester, daughter Lottie, 17, and son Edward, 11. Among the crew he met on the day was pilot Kevin Goddard (pictured above with Mr Gilbourne), who helped save his life.
He said: "It was really nice to finally meet him and the rest of the Kent Air Ambulance team."
The 100-mile route for the Double 100 Bike Challenge takes riders through all four counties covered by the Air Ambulance - Kent, Surrey and East and West Sussex.
Mr Gilbourne, who is looking forward to the challenge, said: "Just two weeks before the accident I had run the London Marathon, but now doctors have told me I can't do anything like that again.
"I can't do impact sports because of the damage to my foot and ankle, but one thing I can do is cycling.
"I have raised £1,400 so far and I would love to reach £2,000. People have been so supportive, it's been wonderful."
n To sponsor Jim, visit www.justgiving.com/ Jim-Gilbourne