A Swiss Cottage woman who nearly died in an accident two and a half years ago is raising money to thank the air ambulance service and their “superhero” staff.

In October 2009 Kim Bowler was hit by a car which smashed every one of her ribs, broke her back and hip and burst her lungs.

She was not expected to live and remembers being given the last rites and begging not to have her legs amputated.

But two-and-a-half years later she has defied the doctors in a miraculous recovery and is preparing to walk five kilometres in a Superhero fun run in Regent’s Park on May 13.

The 37-year-old said: “It will be a real personal goal, but also a good way to say thank you to the air ambulance staff. I would have died if it hadn’t been for them.”

On the day of the accident, in Cromwell Road, West London, the London Air Ambulance landed on the roof of a nearby Sainsbury’s and reached her within seven minutes.

Miss Bowler said the team’s speed and professionalism and her own “sunny disposition” as a positive-thinking native Australian saved her.

At the time she was living in a backpackers’ hostel in Earl’s Court and working as a consultant in a furniture company and as a steward at Wembley Stadium.

But since the accident she has moved to a Swiss Cottage flat with wheelchair access.

She started to walk again just two months ago and her life is dominated by physiotherapy and psychotherapy appointments for physical and emotional trauma.

But she is determined to thank the people whose actions saved her life.

“I’ll be dressed as a superhero because my friends see me as a supergirl because of my positive attitude,” she said.

“But the air ambulance staff are the real superheroes. They swooped in, scooped me up and rushed me to hospital.

“Their job is to swoop in – with just one doctor and one ambulance worker – saving dead people basically.”

Miss Bowler will be accompanied on May 13 by her personal trainer, carer, lawyer, hydrotherapist and a member of the air ambulance team, each of whom will complete one kilometre in her wheelchair as she attempts to walk five kilometres.

Her goal is to raise �5,000 and to let people know that the air ambulance is a charity in desperate need of funds.

The service costs �3million a year to run. �1million comes from the NHS and the charity has to find the rest itself.

To sponsor Kim on the walk go to www.justgiving.com/Kim-Bowler