West Kirby Dad continues journey to Ironman World Championships two years after brain injury

Paul Bradford, 48, from West Kirby, is set to achieve an incredible comeback as he competes in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, two years after surviving a near-fatal cycling accident.

Paul, a dad of two, will be competing in the Championship in aid of the North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) Charity which he says he “owes his life to”.

In 2022, Paul, a dad of two, qualified for the Ironman World Championships. One month prior to competing, whilst on a training ride, he crashed into the back of a stationary van.

Paul was given a 10% chance of survival after he sustained a severe traumatic brain injury. His condition was further complicated by a fractured skull, broken ribs and a severely broken jaw.

Due to the severity of Paul’s injuries, the NWAA Charity was called to provide enhanced pre-hospital care.

Paul and his family meeting one of the crew members who saved his life.

He was given a general anaesthetic, intubated to keep his airway open and was placed on a ventilator at the scene.

Paul was then flown to Aintree University Hospital and subsequently transferred to the specialist Walton Neuro Centre due to the extent of his brain injury.

On 26 October 2024, Paul will take on one of the most gruelling endurance events in the world, covering 140.6 miles across an ocean swim, a technical bike course, and a vibrant coastal marathon run.

Paul said:

“I was shocked to find out that that the North West Air Ambulance is a charity and is funded solely by the generosity of the public. This knowledge made me determined to raise awareness and funds for them, so they can continue saving lives.”

In 2023, Paul ran the London Marathon in aid of the charity that saved his life and raised over £5,000 in vital funds.

Paul Bradford, training for the IRONMAN world championships in West Kirkby.

Rebekah Bullen-Calderbank, Events Coordinator at NWAA said:

“We are so thankful for Paul’s support over the past couple of years. From completing the London Marathon in 2023 and now the Ironman World Championship, he really is an inspiration to us all.

“Our lifesaving charity doesn’t get government funding, and we aren’t part of the NHS. We rely solely on our dedicated supporters to raise the £18 million we need each year to bring the hospital to the patient.”