Colin Joyce

A COLLECTION for Wiltshire Air Ambulance will be made at the funeral of Rowde man Colin Joyce who, 25 years ago, was one of the charity's first patients to be flown to hospital.

Mr Joyce, 74, of Springfield Road, grew up on a farm in the village near Devizes and remained a life-long lover of the countryside. He was involved in a terrible accident in February 1991 when a tractor collided with his car and spikes crashed through the windscreen and into his chest.

His wife Pam remains hugely grateful to the air ambulance for its help and has decided to split the collection at his funeral at St Matthew's Church on June 16 between the air ambulance and Cancer Care.

She met her husband when she was aged just 17 after they went on a blind date at the former Oasis Cafe in Devizes. They married 49 years ago and now the family plan to commemorate what would have been their golden anniversary on April 1 next year with a lunch and then a visit to his graveside.

Mrs Joyce said: "He had cancer for 12 years and had become increasingly ill in recent times. But we had spoken about our golden wedding. It is sad he did not live that long but I am very lucky to have had him for the past 25 years. If it had not been for the air ambulance I would probably have lost him in 1991."

Since the accident the family has raised about £4,000 for the air ambulance.

Mr Joyce, who was a keen shot and part-time game-keeper, leaves three children, Darren, Julie and Lee, and seven grandchildren.

Mr Joyce's funeral will be held at 12.30pm, on Thursday, June 16 at St Matthew's Church, Rowde. It will be followed by a wake at the Cross Keys, Rowde, where Mr Joyce was a regular and member of the pool team.