BY coincidence the day Vicki Robinson got a chance visit to support the East Anglian Air Ambulance lottery was just 24 hours after they had sent a helicopter to rescue her after a fall.

She said the canvasser from the EAAA’s lottery asked her if she’d be happy to sign up to support the charity.

“At first I thought it was a wind-up,” said Vicki, a 37 year-old police worker from Benwick. “When I realised he was for real, I was delighted to join. I didn’t realise the air ambulance is operated by a charity and yet it provides such a vital service.”

Unbeknown to the lottery canvasser Vicki had been helped by the charity the previous day following a riding accident during which she fractured her collar bone.

The accident happened while she was out hacking on her horse, Brynley, accompanied by husband, Pat, and dog, Destiny. During the ride Brynley became over-excited and started galloping down the field. Vicki fell off and was briefly unconscious.

Anglia Two, the air ambulance serving Cambridgeshire and operated by the EAAA, was despatched.

They gave her initial treatment, including pain relief, before flying her to a nearby road where an ambulance was standing by to take her onto Hinchingbrooke Hospital. X-rays showed that her collar bone was fractured.

Vicki said: “I can’t speak more highly of the crew who attended me. They were so courteous and so caring.

“My collar bone will take some months to heal so sadly I won’t be riding for a while. When I do get back into the saddle, I’m planning a sponsored ride to help raise funds to keep the service going.

Chris Donaldson, of the EAAA, said: “We wish Vicki all the very best for her recovery and also wish her good fortune playing our lottery.”