He battled through a five week coma and multiple operations after falling 14 feet from a ladder six years ago.

And now farmer Tim Papworth is fighting fit again and preparing to take on a five mile obstacle course in aid of the charity which saved his life.

In 2010 Mr Papworth, 41 at the time, had suffered two bleeds to the brain after falling to a concrete floor while changing a light bulb in his potato store in Tunstead.

This weekend he tackles the mud obstacle run Only the Brave, in support of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

Already he has raised more than £4,000, enough to fund another mission for the service and smashing his target of £1,000.

'It made sense to raise my target higher to try to raise as much as possible,' he said.

'I am so amazed my everyone's generosity, I would really like to reach an unprecedented £5,000 if that's possible.'

EAAA were called to Mr Papworth's fall due to the immediacy of his medical needs and remote, rural location.

He was anaesthetised on scene and flown to Addenbrooke's to receive urgent care. The journey, which would have taken two and a half hours by land ambulance, prevented him from sustaining long term brain damage.

Mr Papworth will be joined in his efforts by wife, Emma, and he says 'the kindness of people will get me round'.

'The course will be tough but I'm going to complete it no matter what,' he said. 'It's my way of giving something back to a charity that saved my life.'

This will be the second year Only the Brave has been organised by the charity. It aims to honour the physical and emotional obstacles people overcome every day.

EAAA events manager Catrina Laskey said: 'Tim has raised an incredible amount and it's not even race day yet. We recognise how difficult recovery can be for someone if they've been attended by the air ambulance so for Tim to join us on the day is very inspiring.

'We've been delighted at the response from people wanting to take part and hope to smash the £110,000 we raised last year.'

Registrations for this year's event are now closed but people can still volunteer on the day to cheer runners on. For more information email sarah.hurren@eaaa.org.uk.

To sponsor Mr Papworth visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Tim-Papworth1