A lucky cyclist and a group of friends are embarking on a charity cycle ride to raise funds for the service that saved his life.

At around 9pm on December 15, Dave Parker was taking part in a 'Hare and Hounds' race involving runners and cyclists, when he suddenly suffered cardiac arrest.

"There was about 14 of us. It was our Christmas get together so the idea was we all went back to one of the guys house and have a beer and a good evening.

"We were leaving Osmington Drove out through Broadmayne and that's when it started to go wrong. I came off my bike and bumped into another rider. The other riders thought I was messing about," Dave said.

Dave had a blockage in a major blood vessel which inhibited the blood flow to his heart, causing it to stop.

In the dark, in the middle of the Dorset countryside, Dave was completely unconscious, not breathing and had no pulse.

Luckily the man Dave had hit as he fell was a doctor who began CPR as soon as he realised something was wrong.

"I couldn't have planned a better location for it to happen. There was a field behind where the helicopter could land and we'd made it to the lane so the land ambulance could get to me. I was extremely lucky and unlucky at the same time," Dave said.

When paramedics arrived, they attached him to a defibrillator to shocked his heart and after being brought 'back to life' the air ambulance was despatched to take him to hospital in Bournemouth.

"What I've learnt is every second counts. It's an incredible service which delivers treatment to the scene so quickly. A minute can change someone's life. It's quite humbling to experience that and live to tell the tale," he said.

Dave is now on the road to recovery and along with the group from that night and some friends, is planning a sponsored cycle on May 12 to raise both funds and awareness of the service.

"Before, I never would have thought of supporting the air ambulance. It's a charity which is paid for by donations and I wanted to do my bit to give back to them and get other people to think about it too," Dave said.

The group will set out from the point of injury at Osmington Drove in Broadmayne to the home of the air ambulance at Henstridge Air Field - clocking up a total of 58 miles.

Dave said he hopes to raise £2,500 for the service - the cost of one mission.

"My friends have been very generous and I want to raise as much money as I can. It's an amazing facility that saves lives," he said.

To support the team visit dsairambulance.org.uk/fundraisers/parklife