A parents’ gift in memory of skateboarding son

Twenty years after trying to build a skateboard park as a legacy to their son, parents Sandra and Peter give a donation to Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance in his memory.

Karl Cody was riding home from work on his moped when he was involved in a devastating road traffic incident in Lincoln. Karl was taken to Lincoln County Hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he died, aged just 22 years old.

Karl had an organ donor card and Peter and Sandra took great comfort from knowing that some of his organs were given to four patients, allowing them the chance of potentially a better and longer life.

Karl was a popular young man and there was an outpouring of love at his funeral with donations totalling over £5,000. Karl had been a keen skate-boarder and BMX biker, and with his friends would practise anywhere and everywhere in Lincoln and also at the BMX track at Metheringham, nine miles south of the city. Their dream had always been to have a skatepark north of Lincoln and Sandra and Peter decided to use this money to create a lasting legacy to Karl.

They viewed several potential locations with representatives from Lincoln City Council, but sadly none were found suitable. Peter said: “We have tried to find a site for 21 years, but we have finally decided that it is not going to happen.”

The couple therefore have gifted the money to Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and in September they visited the charity’s base at Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln to made a donation of £5,325 in memory of Karl.

Peter and Sandra chose to support LNAA because as they believe it is a necessary and vital service. Peter said: “They did not attend Karl, but this donation could help them be there to save another motorcyclist. They are not Government funded, if we don’t fund then, there will not be an air ambulance.”

Find out more about how you can support the life-saving work of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance: ambucopter.org.uk