Daventry fundraiser to thank air ambulance in memory of biker Gary

The fun day was organised by his wife, Samantha, and was held at the DeVere Staverton Park Hotel, where he had worked for 15 years.

Attractions included a photo pod, sweets stall, ‘name the paramedic teddy’ and a silent auction, with a first prize of Jet2 return flights for two from Birmingham Airport.

The Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance was called when Gary was fatally injured in a collision involving his motorbike and a car and he was airlifted to hospital in Coventry.

Mrs Bates, of New Forest Way, said: “The crew looked after him and cared for him tremendously.

“It’s such a fantastic service that needs to continue, and it relies on donations.”

The accident happened in 2016, two weeks after they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in Spain and a month before he was due to turn 50.