THE EIGHT-year-old son of a fatal crash victim has raised more than £1,000 for the air ambulance that tried to save his dad’s life.

Malachi Hall, of Ilminster, is raising money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance after it airlifted his dad, Paul Hall, to Southmead Hospital in Bristol in April.

Paul Hall died following the two car crash, which was on the evening of April 25, on the B3168 near Seavington St Michael and Whitelackington.

Heather Hall, Paul’s wife, said: “Malachi chose to shave his head to raise money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance because they tried as hard as they could to help save his dad, along with many other people who attended the accident on the April 25.

“Malachi loves his hair and has been adamant for a long time that he was not cutting it, so for him to choose to do this is massive in my opinion. Many of my friends are aware of how attached he is to his hair.”

Heather and Malachi have set up a Just Giving page for the fundraising effort, as well as handing out sponsorship forms to shops in Ilminster. They are planning to do a raffle outside Ilminster Tesco and are looking for prize donations.

Heather, who had three children with Paul and a grandchild, added: “I could not be more proud of my children and how they have coped over the last nine weeks – they keep me strong.

“I am truly overwhelmed by all the support for Malachi and also the support we have received as a family. I would love to be able to thank everyone in person.

“Paul was an amazing man.

“I was with him 21 years and married for 17 and a half years. He would be so proud of Malachi.

“That was something he was always proud of all his children for. They are all caring, thoughtful children just like Paul was. Nothing was ever too much trouble.”

And Malachi may not be taking on the head shave alone.

“Malachi wants to raise as much money as he possibly can for Air ambulance, as his mum I want to help make this possible for him,” Heather added.

“It costs approximately £2,500 for one call out for Air ambulance. If we can reach this target I will be joining Malachi and having my head shaved.”

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance receives no direct government or National Lottery funding and relies on public donations for support. Operational costs are over £2 million a year and the approximate cost per mission is £2,500.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Heather-Hall3, or for more information about the work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, visit www.dsairambulance.org.uk.