A KIDDERMINSTER takeaway owner has raised £400 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, after crediting the service with saving his life.

Oli Runu, who owns Marlpool Diner, in Willowfield Drive, held a fundraising evening at the takeaway and donated all profits from every order placed to the charity.

Mr Runu was airlifted by Midlands Air Ambulance in June 2015 after becoming unwell at his home in Kidderminster.

He had just returned from picking his children up from school and started to experience tightness in his chest area and a burning sensation.

Mr Runu said: "I thought it was just acidity. It gradually started to worsen, so my wife insisted on calling the ambulance, but I held her back hoping it would go away.

"However, as time went on, my condition deteriorated.

"I was vomiting and heavily sweating so, without wasting another minute, my wife called 999."

When paramedics arrived at Mr Runu's home, they quickly diagnosed he was suffering a heart attack - and due to the life-threatening severity of his condition, the Midlands Air Ambulance, from Strensham, was called.

Mr Runu added: "The paramedics from the ambulance service asked how I was with flying - it didn't really sink in what was happening to me.

"I was a fit 38-year-old man, non-smoker and had no underlying medical conditions.

"When the air ambulance landed, I realised the seriousness of my condition."

The Midlands Air Ambulance paramedics administered crucial medical assistance to him, before airlifting him to Worcester Royal Hospital, in less than 15 minutes.

Mr Runu said: "The Midlands Air Ambulance crew were really friendly guys - they were talking and comforting me through our journey to Worcester Royal Hospital.

"On arrival, I was diagnosed with a blockage in one of the main arteries, the cause is still unknown.

"Doctors said that a delay of another 20 minutes could have done major damage to my heart, or been fatal.

"I am certain that the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity saved my life, by saving time, which is why I wanted to help fund a future air ambulance mission."

For more information about the charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com or call 0800 840 2040.