A Brecon farmer’s wife whose life was saved by the Wales Air Ambulance has pledged to leave a gift to the charity in her will as a final thank you.

Sue Davies has been a passionate supporter of the Wales Air Ambulance for years – but five months after she and husband Gareth raised more than £3,000 for the service, she found herself relying on it to save her own life.

The couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in May 2009 with a party and asked guests to donate to the Wales Air Ambulance instead of buying presents.

Just five months later, Sue was involved in a serious quad bike accident on the family farm.

The crash catapulted her into the air and left her with a broken neck.

Sue spent two months in hospital, followed by a further month at a specialist spinal unit. She underwent five operations and reconstructive surgery to her face before making a remarkable recovery.

Since then, she has continued to support the charity and has raised thousands of pounds through fundraising events.

Sue has taken part in every Wales Air Ambulance Cycle 100km event since its inauguration, cycling from Cardiff to the charity’s headquarters in Dafen. She has also participated in Walk Wales and Coffee and Cake events, as well as organising numerous raffles.

Now she has decided her support will continue after her death by leaving a gift to the charity in her will. She also plans to ask for donations to the Wales Air Ambulance instead of flowers at her funeral.

Sue said: “It will be my final way to say thank you for the life I’ve had – a life that would have been cut short without them.

“It will also be my last big thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance. Leaving money in my will and asking for donations at my funeral is the last thing I can do.

“I wouldn’t be here without the Wales Air Ambulance, and I will be forever grateful.”

Sue said the service was particularly important to people living in rural areas such as Brecon.

“The service is absolutely vital to the people of Wales,” she said.

“Perhaps because we live in a rural area, it hits home more with me. It’s so important because of our terrain and our population, and how people are all spread out.

She added: “I don’t know how I would’ve survived without them. It was a no-brainer to leave a gift in my will.”

The Wales Air Ambulance provides consultant-led emergency critical care across Wales, taking hospital-standard treatment directly to patients and, when required, transferring them to the most appropriate hospital.

The service relies on public donations to raise £13 million each year to keep its helicopters and rapid response vehicles operating.

Jane Griffiths, philanthropy and partnerships fundraiser at Wales Air Ambulance, said Sue was a “valued lifetime supporter”.

“To be remembered in her Will is a true honour,” she said. “Her kind gift will help ensure the lifesaving service continues for future generations.”