MORE than 200 people turned out in support of car crash survivor Max Chant at Castle Combe at the weekend.

His mum Sadia Chant organised a bike ride to mark one year since her then 10-year-old son was airlifted to Bristol Children’s Hospital by Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Scores of kids biked, scooted and skated around the circuit and raised nearly £850, boosting Max's total for the air ambulance to more than £2,160.

Mrs Chant, 40, of Ashe Crescent, Chippenham, said: "It was lovely to see Max playing football and picking up a hula hoop and having a go, rather than not being able to take part in the past year. I honestly didn't think this day would come."

Max, now at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham, had to give up tae kwon do after his spinal surgery but was able to start it again a couple of weeks ago.

He will continue his fundraising on July 5 when he takes on the 25-mile White Horse Challenge with his school friends in the Back on Track team, proving just how far he has come.

His mum said: "I wanted to boost the morale for the boys as the walks are getting bigger now. They're looking to take it up to 14 miles this Saturday."

She said the event on Sunday was very relaxed. "Like one big family having a party. If you ask the community for help they're really there. Boomerang gave us a bouncy castle for free, Artisan gave us a generator for nothing, Yatton Keynell artist Kathy Hutton had a cake stand and we got free food and water from Sainsbury's and Morrisons."

Max's former tae kwon do trainer Julie Smith was giving self-defence demonstrations and Wiltshire Hula Hoop Dance were showing off their skills. Reptiles From The Hide, who do children's birthday parties, were showing off snakes.

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/backontrack-maxchant/