A young woman who survived an horrific car crash will raise funds for the air ambulance which saved her life at a bumper bake sale.

Tara McIntyre, 24, of Panfield Lane, Braintree, is whipping up some tasty treats and rallying her friends and family to fund one £2,700 helicopter mission for Essex Air Ambulance.

The former Braintree Council worker nearly died in a crash in High Garrett on February 9 last year when a drink-driver in a Mercedes crashed into the side of her Ford Ka.

Miss McIntyre was flown to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge with a severed aorta, a fractured spine and a severe brain injury and has spent the last 18 months relearning how to walk and talk.

Her main goal is a sponsored three-mile walk around the Essex Air Ambulance air field in Earl Colne on October 31, but the bake sale should give her total a last-minute boost.

Having conquered her original £1,000 target, Miss McIntyre has so far raised £2,050.

Jo McIntyre, Tara’s mum, said: "We are all very proud of her and all of her friends and family are supporting her.

"Tara likes to do a Victoria sponge or chocolate muffins but I imagine I will be very busy too.

"She’s got a spreadsheet of which of her friends is making what and her speech therapist has helped her organise it all.

"It’s something else to keep her mind off things.

"She’s walking everywhere with her walker and is doing so well."

The bake sale at the White Hart Hotel in Bocking End, Braintree, opens at 10am on October 24 and everyone is welcome.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/Tara-McIntyre.