A car crash victim who owes her life to the air ambulance is urging everyone to hold fundraisers in aid of the charity.

It is believed that in 2010 Kate Oliver, 28, passed out behind the wheel after her blood pressure unexpectedly crashed, and she smashed her car into a tree.

The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) had to perform CPR three times before she was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Kate was in a coma for two months: “How can you thank someone for saving your life?

“Coming out of the coma I was very confused but I remember relatives and friends standing outside a big window at Addenbrooke’s - but obviously I could not speak.”

She was left without any movement in the left side of her body and had to relearn how to walk.

Although she has regained mobility, her left hand is still slow to respond on occasion, she said.

Former casino croupier Kate now runs her own tea shop in St Albans, Kate’s Vintage Afternoon Tea, in her parents’ pub The Six Bells.

She has raised more than £30,000 for EHAAT since the accident, including completing a sponsored cycle to Paris.

In the future she is planning to host an afternoon tea sale and cycle to Amsterdam in aid of the charity - and is encouraging others to do the same in whatever way they can.

EHAAT runs A Very British Afternoon Tea campaign throughout June each year, to raise funds for the service.

EHAAT’s head of fundraising Maria Alexander said: “We are appealing to individuals, community groups and businesses who love cake to gather their friends and colleagues, put on an apron, and get baking. Last year’s A Very British Afternoon Tea was an extraordinary success, and we hope that this year’s initiative will continue to raise much-needed funds for our life-saving service.”

To find out more and get a EHAAT fund raising pack, visit www.ehaat.org, call the Fundraising Team on 0345 5040 055 or email afternoontea@ehaat.org

To donate to Kate’s Amsterdam cycle, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=818038Kate has not yet set a date for the tea and cake sale.