A mother and daughter want to “give something back” to the Yorkshire air ambulance charity, six months after their car plunged into a reservoir in an horrific accident.

Denise Hirst fought to keep her 88-year-old mother’s head above water when their Land Rover left the A65, smashed through a drystone wall and ended up on its side in Chelker Reservoir.

Her mother, Trudy Murgatroyd, suffered head injuries in the accident on May 15 which left her bleeding heavily.

Ambulance crew members took the swift decision to call in the air ambulance helicopter and fly her to Leeds General Infirmary for urgent treatment.

Now the mother and daughter from Draughton, near Adding-ham, are planning two fundraising events for the air ambulance service, which costs more than £7,000 to operate every day.

Mrs Hirst, 55, who was taken to Airedale General Hospital for treatment after the crash, said: “It was a very horrific accident. Both the air ambulance and an ordinary ambulance were involved and we want to thank the air ambulance for the life- saving help they gave to us.”

To raise funds, the women will be serving afternoon teas at Draughton Village Hall from 2.30pm to 4.30pm today.

A bigger fundraising sale in aid of both the air ambulance and Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund, is planned at the village hall from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday, December 1.

The sale will include a silent auction and Mrs Hirst is inviting businesses to make donations.

Mrs Hirst and Mrs Murgatroyd, now 89, are still recovering from their ordeal.

“We’re very grateful to be alive, that’s what we’re trying to focus on,” said Mrs Hirst “It makes us feel we’d like to give something back.”

To donate to the auction, contact denishirst@yahoo.co.uk