A MAN who survived an horrific car crash will run a marathon to raise money for the rescue service that saved his life.

Robert Young, then a teacher, was left fighting for his life after his red Ka collided with a Toyota Landrover on the Hanbury Road, near Droitwich.

He suffered head injuries, a broken pelvis and ribs, a punctured lung and was in a coma for almost a fortnight in October 2006.

His survival was thanks in part to the speedy actions of Malcolm Russell, a doctor with the charity Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS).

The medic was travelling down the M5 close to Droitwich and raced to treat Mr Young at the scene before paramedics and firefighters arrived on the scene.

He also organised a police helicopter to airlift Mr Young to Selly Oak Hospital’s trauma unit.

Mr Young, of St Peter’s, Worcester, has since recovered from the accident, has a new job as a computer animator for a sports multimedia company and plans to marry fiancee Kristine in August.

However, he said he had battled depression as he struggled to adapt to life after his accident.

He said: “The last couple of years have been the hardest time.

“Head injury is a hidden disability, people can’t see it and they don’t really understand.

“It’s just trying to get your whole life back to normal and accept you are not who you were before.”

Mr Young, aged 33, said he now finds it harder to cope with emotions and decided to give up his job as a teacher at Walkwood School, Redditch.

He said: “I think I’m still quite a good teacher but I couldn’t cope with it really. People were expecting me to be the person I was so it was easier for me to move on and do something different.”

He also had to give up playing for Malvern Rugby Club and decided to take up running instead.

He and best friend Matthew Meckin, from West Malvern, have set themselves the challenge of completing the 26-mile Loch Ness marathon, around the famous Scottish loch, to raise £5,000 for MARS.

Mr Young said: “I think it’s about £6,000 to put one of the medics on the road for a year.

“This is a very small thing for a chap who did so much for me.

“They are amazing basically. It’s just a tiny way I can do something.”

Mr Young will run the marathon on Sunday, October 2.

Anyone wishing to sponsor him in the marathon can visit justgiving.com/Robert-Young.