A MOTORCYCLIST who had her leg amputated after a horror smash is determined to complete a 10km race to raise money for the people who saved her life.

Kerry Waters’s refuses to let her brush with death stop her from taking on the Run to the Beat race, to raise cash for Essex Air Ambulance.

Dental nurse Kerry, 29, from Ashingdon, fell from her black Honda CBR in Brays Lane, Canewdon, and had to be airlifted to a specialist hospital in Tooting, south London.

Her lower leg was severed in the crash, and surgeons removed the limb up to her thigh.

But she has already wowed doctors by climbing from her bed to her wheelchair, just three days after the smash, on Friday, June 27.

She has been in the hospital’s gym to have physio and learn exercises, and was deemed well enough to be transferred to Southend Hospital on Friday.

Now Kerry wants to raise money for the Essex Air Ambulance and also hopes to meet the paramedics who were at the scene.

She said: “These guys saved my life and I wish to pay back some of what I cost them. They deserve it.”

She puts part of her recovery down to the hundreds of friends, family and residents who have been sending her messages of support on Facebook group Kerrys Well Wishes.

Her friends are not feeling sorry for her though – instead they have already set her the task of taking part in Run to the Beat in London, in September, which she was training for before the crash with her sister’s partner Jay Abbott.

The pair started running in January and, having both bought fluorescent yellow running tops, called themselves Team Lemon.

Mr Abbott, 29, of Hainault Avenue, Rochford, said: “The air ambulance played a huge part in saving her life. She said raising money for them is what she wants to focus on, so she can give something back.

“We thought the race would give her a goal to start walking on her prosthetic leg. We started training so we wanted to compete.

Seeing the well wishes on Facebook has kept her going and she’s now focused on getting going again.

“Although it’s been a tragic accident it’s brought together family, friends and the community in and around Rochford. I have never seen anything like it.”

There will also be a charity night at La Quinta restaurant, in Benfleet Road, Benfleet, organised by Kerry’s friends Jackie Moul, 35, of Percy Cottis Road, Rochford, and Remi Akerman, 23, of Middle Mead, Rochford.

It will take place on Saturday, October 4. Tickets cost £15 and include food, a singer, disco and raffle.

For tickets, or to donate a raffle prize, call Jackie on 07749 071408. To donate to the Team Lemon fund, visit www.justgiving.com/ teams/TEAMLEMON.