Former Truro mayor Steven Webb has embarked upon a 500-mile journey around Cornwall’s perimeter in his electric wheelchair to raise £20,000 for Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (CAAT).

He left the Alverton hotel yesterday, 33 years to the day since a diving accident left him severely paralysed, and was waved off by supporters including Truro and Falmouth MP Jayne Kirkham, current city mayor Carol Swain, town crier Lionel Knight and representatives from CAAT and event sponsors Coodes solicitors.

Steven aims to complete the new Cornwall 500 challenge in 20 days, travelling up to 30 miles a day. Details of routes and events will be released at the start of each day, via the Cornwall 500 social media channels and website https://thecornwall500.com.

Following his accident on September 1, 1991, Steven was flown to the Duke of Cornwall spinal unit in Salisbury by Cornwall’s first air ambulance. “The helicopter was instrumental in saving my life when I broke my neck - that's why I'm here today,” he said.  

“Without it, I would have ended up in the back of an ambulance for about 12 hours travelling to Salisbury at about 15 miles an hour. The air ambulance was able to fly me in just over an hour with a paramedic, keeping me safe so I could get the help I needed.”

CAAT’s #HELi2 campaign to provide a second helicopter for Cornwall has raised just over £1 million towards its £2.85 million target. Demand is on the increase, with 2023 10% busier than the previous year, and May 2024 the busiest on record.  “We need two aircraft in Cornwall to be able to save even more lives,” said CAAT chief executive Tim Bunting.

Steven has already raised £1,000 since launching his JustGiving appeal last month. “I'm so passionate about this challenge,” he said. “I'm going to love being out on the road, seeing parts of Cornwall I've never seen. 

 “It's not always going to be easy, but it will feel easier with the support of local people behind me, sharing, commenting, asking questions and donating.”