16052WORLD famous yachtsman Tony Bullimore spoke of his battle for survival after capsizing in the Southern Ocean at a talk to raise money for Bradford on Avon's new St John Ambulance.

The talk at the Wiltshire Music Centre on Saturday evening was part of the David Hempleman-Adams lecture series to raise money for a new vehicle for the Bradford division of the charity.

Mr Bullimore, an international yachtsman, adventurer and writer, has sailed more than 300,000 miles in 30 years, crossed the Atlantic more than 30 times and won more than 150 trophies.

He hit the headlines in 1998 when his racing yacht capsized in the icy waters of the Southern Ocean, after he had been at sea for two months competing in a round-the-world race.

Mr Bullimore sheltered in a tiny air pocket under the boat, 2,500km from Australia, suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and frostbite but survived against all the odds.

He spent five days underneath the upturned hull and used a hammer to bang on the top of the yacht to draw attention to his rescuers. He brought the life-saving tool to the talk on Saturday.

Explorer David Hempleman-Adams, who has already helped raise money for Chippenham and Corsham St John Ambulance, introduced the evening.

Kevin Parsons, superintendent for the Bradford division of St John Ambulance, brought the new Crusader multi-purpose ambulance along to the event.

He said: "I went and collected it a week ago but hid it away so it was a surprise."

The state-of-the-art vehicle had just three miles on the clock when he picked it up.

The division had to raise more than £50,000 for the ambulance after their vehicle became too old to use a year ago.

"We still haven't completely paid for it but we're on the home straight now," Mr Parsons said.

Mike Pope, an amputee who raised £8,000 for the ambulance by cycling from Lands End to John O' Groats, presented his donation on Saturday.

Mr Parsons said: "We are so pleased to have the vehicle and I really want to thank everyone who helped raise money and support for it."

The ambulance will be used for volunteer duties at public events as well as to transport patients.

The service is voluntary and in Wiltshire 700 members of St John Ambulance give up thousands of hours of their time.