SEVEN-year-old scalds victim James Lively has presented a £700 thank you to the air ambulance service that took him to hospital.

The air ambulance dropped in at James's school, St Joseph's RC Junior, Wellington Street, Todmorden yesterday.

James was able to hand over the money and to meet the air crew and paramedics who helped him when he suffered extensive burns.

His schoolmates were also excited by the visit of a helicopter to their school, especially after two previous planned visits had to be called off at the last minute.

James, with help from his family, raised the money by organising a sponsored cycle ride because he wanted to say thank the air crew and paramedics who came to his aid.

James of Cowfold Street, Todmorden, was airlifted to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, in June after suffering severe scald burns in an accident involving a kettle.

He suffered scalds to his stomach, hands and thighs. He initially spent two days in hospital but had to return later for skin grafts to his thighs.

He still wears pressure garments to restrict the blood flow to the skin graft sites in order to reduce scarring.

His mum, Sarah, said: "It took the air ambulance eight minutes to get him to hospital.

"It took his dad and me one-and-a-half hours to drive there. We could not go with him in the helicopter because there was no room."

After returning home following his hospital treatment he told his parents that he wanted to raise as much money as possible for the air ambulance crew and paramedics who looked after him.

With his dad, David, and brother, Daniel, 10, he recently went on a 10-mile sponsored cycle ride along the canal towpath from Todmorden to Hebden Bridge and back.

They were sponsored by family, friends and local businesses.

His mum said: "We are all very proud of him."