A Stowupland man who was involved in a life-changing motorbike accident is raising money for the people who saved his life.
45-year-old Pedro Santos was involved in a serious collision in Hadleigh four years ago.
The Suffolk resident broke his spine during the incident and was picked up by the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) crew who flew him to Addenbrooke’s.
Mr Santos said: “Without them I wouldn’t be here.”
Thanks to their medical support and the support of others, Mr Santos is on the road to recovery and has decided to take part in a charity trek in Cambridge this month.
He will be doing so with his wife Beata Grzella and his two friends, Alan Southerill and Izabella Gniadek.
They will be negotiating a 2.4-mile course on behalf of EAAA, and Pedro is aiming to raise £1000 or more. (He has currently raised £920 at the time of going to press).
Mr Santos continued: “I was nearly a year in hospital, and it has been a tough journey. Looking back, I’m doing well, and thankfully things are a lot better.”
He continued: “During my recovery, we met a man in a wheelchair in Ipswich who showed me how life can go on. My message to others is – I know it is hard – but don’t back down. You have to fight, and you will see the light.”
As part of that fight, he continues to do the things that he loves. He now drives, goes to gigs, watches lots of non-league football games at Clapton CFC, and he has even been advising the club on helping to make their facilities more accessible to wheelchair users.
He has met the crew that saved him and was able to thank them – and as a result he has volunteered to work for EAAA. On this, he said: “I’m feeling positive about the trek, surrounded by people who will be carrying their own stories.”
He also recently had a chat with the famous petrolhead and TV presenter Guy Martin. And more than that, he continues to inspire his wife Beata.
Beata is an inclusive and foundation learning lecturer at the Suffolk New College Suffolk Rural Campus. The duo met during lockdown, and three weeks after their engagement, Pedro had his accident.
She said: “After the accident I was off work for a year – I was basically a nurse and this has all made us stronger. Pedro is amazing. He is hungry for life. I’m so proud of him for keeping such a positive attitude.”
In terms of doing the trek, she said: “A year after the accident, we got a postcard from the EAAA, and it was such a lovely gesture. They do such an amazing job saving people’s lives. It made it easy for us to take on this challenge and give something back.”
And Beata also praised her place of work. She added: “My team at Suffolk Rural has been super supportive. I got a care basket for Pedro and me from them. It melted my heart. Everyone has been so loving.”
Craig Shimmon is the Head of Marketing at Suffolk New College. He said: “Pedro’s story is full of hope, inspiration and courage, and we are backing him, Beata and the team all the way.”
Next up for Pedro will be more challenges. He wants to go from Ipswich to Stowmarket in his chair. He also wants to go coast to coast across the width of the UK for charity. And he will be working as a volunteer at an event called ‘Only the Brave’ at Thetford Forest at the end of September.
Beata is raising separately for the EAAA and has raised £200 so far. To donate to Beata, you can visit here: East Anglian Air Ambulance: Trek 24 – Cambridgeshire 2026