In September 2014 a quad accident left Jason Wing lying on a steep slope on the family farm with one leg over his shoulder.
He was quickly taken to hospital by the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter. Now back on his feet he's still feeling grateful and wants to hold another Blue Tie Ball, a bigger and better one, to raise funds for the helicopter.
The last one was in 2016, when he and three helpers raised $30,000.
This year's ball is on August 19 in the Marton Memorial Hall. Tickets cost $80 for a single, $75 for each person in a double and $750 for a table of 10. They can be bought at Farmlands in Whanganui, The District Monitor in Marton or online at The Blue Tie Ball's Facebook page.
Those attending will get free transport there and back, a meal catered by a cafe, a cash bar, music from the band Twisted and an auction of donated goods. The auctioneer is Phil Transon and goods include an Air Chathams flight to Auckland for an All Blacks game and a $10,000 driveway package.
"If we don't raise another $30,000 I will be disappointed. I think we will do that quite easily," Mr Wing said.
In 2014 he was riding a quad bike on the family farm in Marton when he got off to deal with a sheep. He didn't put the quad's brake on and it ran down the slope, knocked him over and ended up in the trees at the bottom.
Lying on the slope, he was able to ring for help on his cellphone. He had broken both his femurs. The helicopter and an ambulance arrived, and he was given pain relief. He was in Palmerston North Hospital for three days, then transferred to Whanganui.
Rehabilitating he was in a wheelchair for five months, but determined to get back on his feet. He moved to his partner's wheelchair accessible house in Whanganui and made daily trips to the Splash Centre on a loaned mobility scooter.
"Sitting at home I would've gone insane. It was an immense relief getting in the pool. It takes the pressure off your bones."
Now walking again, last year he had a metal plate and screw taken out of one leg. This year a metal rod was removed from the other. One leg is now shorter than the other, and he needs built up shoes.
His partner Gabi Downes and friends Emily and Dominic Rayner are helping him organise the ball.
Mr Wing now works at Whanganui's Farmlands. He watches the rescue helicopter landing and taking off from Whanganui Hospital.
"I have just got great admiration for them. They helped save my life and they're doing it for everyone else," he said.