A teenager won a national award after taking on a gruelling challenge to raise money for the air ambulance team who rescued him.

Ben Lovegrove, aged 13, of Callow End was determined to raise enough money to pay for a helicopter rescue for another child after he was airlifted by Midlands Air Ambulance.

Ben was only 11 when he broke his arm and leg in a horse riding accident in the Cotswolds and had to be airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

Despite suffering terrible pain and spending seven weeks in a wheelchair, Ben took on a gruelling mud run and raised £2,000 for the charity.

His determination was rewarded at the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence when he won the Outstanding Young Person Award.

Mum Alison Lovegrove said: "We were absolutely thrilled he won.

"It's something nice that has come out of something that was quite traumatic for him and the whole family."

Describing the accident, Mrs Lovegrove said: "He was riding a pony and came off.

"He broke his right femur and his right arm.

"He was quite badly injured and they realised the air ambulance was the best form of transport to the trauma unit.

"It happened two days before he was due to start school at The Chase.

"He was in a wheelchair and had to stay there until his arm mended because he couldn't get around on crutches.

"It has taken a good two years and he's still recovering now."

As part of his journey back to health, Ben was able to meet the paramedic who rescued him at the Young Airlift Heroes Christmas party, which is organised by the charity.

Mrs Lovegrove said: "The Air Ambulance has been amazing.

"Not only have they rescued us they have helped him afterwards.

"The accident had a big impact on his life and they've been there to support him.

"He can't remember a lot of it luckily.

"The air ambulance really helped him to fill a memory gap which he couldn't come to terms with."

Members of the Air Ambulance team also agreed to do the mud run alongside Ben.

Mrs Lovegrove added: "He also sorted out all his toys to give to the charity's shops.

"People don't realise that they can donate toys and clothes to the charity and they will collect them from your house."

Ben presented the money he raised to paramedic Colin Apps at the charity’s annual Strensham airbase Open Day.

Ben said: “I was really excited to win the Outstanding Young Person award.

"To receive the award in front of 350 was a bit scary, but I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved for the charity.”

More information about the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is available at midlandsairambulance.com or by calling 0800 8 40 20 40.