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After suffering a head injury which left him in a coma for three weeks, 11-year-old Ioan Watts has hiked-up Pen y Fan with the medic who saved his life.

In October 2022, Ioan suffered a brain injury following an 8ft (2.4m) fall from his house in Caerphilly.

When Wales Air Ambulance medic Jez James arrived, Ioan was bleeding from the nose and had serious swelling to his head.

Ioan was then flown to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he underwent emergency brain surgery and spent three weeks in a coma.

Mum Lydia said: “Ioan began his slow recovery, learning to walk, talk and do almost everything he could do before his accident. He worked so hard and after three months in hospital, he came home to continue his recovery.”

Almost two years on and Ioan decided he’d like to thank the people who saved his life by walking-up Pen y Fan to raise money.

Touched by his effort, Jez, who was first on the scene of the accident, decided to get in contact with the family and asked if he could join.

Recounting the day of the accident, Jez said: “As part of our role, we are faced with awful situations every day, but I have a son a similar age and this mission has stuck with me.

“My colleagues and I did all that we could for Ioan, delivering advanced critical care to him in his garden. We knew that we were going to give him the best possible chance of survival but with how poorly he was, we weren’t sure what the outcome would be.”

Upon seeing Jez again, Lydia said: “Ioan was so excited that Jez was climbing Pen y Fan with us. None of us recognised him at all from the day of Ioan’s accident, so it was so lovely to meet him.

“Jez told us how he was talking to Ioan and supporting his head while he was unconscious. It was so kind of him to give up his time to come with us. We will never forget him, Tom, Matt and the others, who saved Ioan’s life, and I hope they know how incredibly grateful we are.

“Ioan started high school yesterday and without the amazing air ambulance crew, he wouldn’t be here for all these firsts.”

Jez went on to describe the walk as a “humbling experience”.

It isn’t the first time Ioan has raised money for Wales Air Ambulance. In 2023, Ioan ran the Caerphilly 2k alongside brother Rhodri and raised almost £4,500.

His hike this time has raised more than £500 so far, with donations also going towards the Child Brain Injury Trust.

Abi Pearce, fundraising manager for the Wales Air Ambulance said: “What a star Ioan is. Ioan was a very poorly child, the crew and his family were unsure whether he would survive or if he would recover – now look at him.

“It’s amazing that he took on this huge challenge to raise much-needed funds for two important charities, which are close to his heart.

“Ioan has been through so much and is a true inspiration. We were delighted that Jez took on the
challenge with Ioan and his family. It meant a lot to Jez to be able to support Ioan on his hike after
treating him whilst in a critical condition.”