TWO-AND-A-HALF years ago Martin Bull was badly injured in a Puma helicopter crash in Iraq.

The RAF sergeant had to have a series of operations and suffered blood clots in his brain.

He still needs plastic surgery for burns he suffered, but now feels fit enough to embark on a charity cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

And once he has completed the gruelling 838-mile ride from one end of the country to the other, he plans to return to operations at RAF Benson.

Sgt Bull and his friend David Lane will start the 12-day trip from Land’s End in Cornwall on Sunday.

The pair want to raise more than £2,000 for the forces charity, the Not Forgotten Association.

Sgt Bull, who lives on the airbase with his wife Louise and his young daughters, aged three and two, was lucky to survive the crash at the end of 2007.

The Puma crewman said: “I suffered third degree burns to my arms.

“I also suffered second degree burns to my head and neck and broke my collarbone, ribs, cheekbone, nose and jaw.

“I also suffered two blood clots on the brain.”

“My last operation, to rebuild my middle finger on my left hand, was in February and there will be one more operation at Salisbury Hospital.”

Sgt Bull said the lengthy recovery period had not put him off doing the charity ride or returning to operations.

“If necessary I would go to Afghan-istan, and I am hoping to be back with the squadron within the next couple of weeks,” he said.

“When I was recovering at Headley Court in Epsom, Surrey, I found out about the Not Forgotten Association and the work they do to aid rehabilitation for veterans and wounded troops.

“Doing this ride seemed like a good way of highlighting the work they do.

“We expect to raise about £2,000 but hopefully we will raise £3,000.”

Sgt Bull said he and Mr Lane had been getting in shape by going out for training sessions, including a 90-mile round trip near the airbase.

Nikki Hamilton, a spokesman for RAF Benson, said: “Despite being so seriously injured, Martin has made an amazing recovery.

“Everyone knows and loves him on the base and we have been behind him all the way.

“He has been up in one of the Pumas already and we look forward to him returning to work.”

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk For more information about the Not Forgotten Association and the charity ride, visit www.lejog2010.org