Memorial football match raises £1,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance

And the 35-year-old’s friends and family have come together to raise money for the charity in his memory.

Around 200 people attended a fundraising football match and fun day at West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club in Sandal, Wakefield, on May 22.

They raised around £1,000 to support the YAA, which they say gave Mr Thompson, of Smithy Lane, “a fighting chance” of survival.

David Taylor, who grew up with Mr Thompson and went on to work with him at Reco Hoist in Sheffield, said: “It was an absolutely brilliant day.

“Dave’s friends and colleagues played in the match, which went really well and we all had a great time whilst raising money.

“It’s something that we are going to do every year in tribute to Dave. It brought together everyone who knew him - work friends, old school friends, his car friends and family. The air ambulance did so much for Dave. We just want to give back to them however we can.”

The YAA, which saves thousands of lives every year, relies on donations from individuals and organisations to cover the £12,000 daily cost of keeping both its emergency helicopters in the air.

It was straight on the scene when the car Mr Thompson was travelling in was involved in a crash on the A650 Wrenthorpe Bypass in April last year.

Crews airlifted him to Leeds General Infirmary so he could access immediate medical care.

But he later died from his injuries on May 3 - a month after the collision.

Mr Taylor said: “The YAA were there at the scene straight away for Dave. Without them, he wouldn’t have even had a fighting chance.”

Mr Thompson’s friends, family and colleagues hope to continue raising money in his memory.