A WOMAN left seriously injured in a high-speed crash which claimed the life of her boyfriend is now determined to raise money for those who saved her.

Minna Leatham, 20, was being driven by her partner Hugo Yaxley in his red Honda Jazz on November 16 last year on the A30 in Wiltshire when they suddenly crashed into an oncoming Range Rover.

Crews from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) were scrambled following the terrifying crash - which left Minna with a broken back, jaw, ribs, cheekbones and wrist.

Dorset Echo: Minna Leatham, aged 20 from north DorsetMinna Leatham, aged 20 from north Dorset

Hugo, the nephew of Homeland star Damian Lewis and his wife, the late Helen McCrory, sadly died in hospital that night.

Now, Minna - who also suffered internal damage to her lungs, eyes, pancreas and liver - is ramping up efforts to raise cash for DSAA and HIOWAA by organising a charity walk on July 2. She has already raised the staggering amount of more than £22,000.

The air ambulance charity says Minna's walk, being undertaken only eight months after the crash, is an 'unbelievable challenge' and it feels 'honoured to be a beneficiary of something so special'.

Minna, who lives in north Dorset, said: "Had it not been for the air ambulance team I would've been left paralysed or very possibly died.

"My various internal injuries kept me hanging between life and death for the first few days, but thanks to the incredible air ambulance crew and the equally amazing team at University Hospital Southampton, my life was saved."

Minna revealed the motivation behind the fundraising project.

"I was astonished to learn air ambulances rely solely on donations and receive no Government funding," she said.

"This fired my ambition to pay them back for saving my life and for giving the Yaxley family the chance to say goodbye to Hugo.

"Hugo’s injuries were catastrophic, but the treatment he received from the air ambulance crew meant that, because he was still alive when he reached Southampton, his family were able to be with him one last time before he passed away."

She is embarking on a five-mile walk, finishing at Hugo’s family pub in Bristol, with the hope of raising as much money as possible for both the charities which dramatically flew to her aid.

A spokeswoman from DSAA said: "Our sincere thanks go to Minna and everyone who is supporting her bravery by donating what they can."

A HIOWAA spokeswoman said:"It is through the kindness, passion and bravery of people such as Minna, undertaking this enormous challenge and helping to raise funds for us in troubled times, that we're able to keep flying to those patients who need our care."

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/minna-walk