A courageous Bridgend nurse, who lost her fiancé Matt King in an accident four years ago, has raised £559 for the charity that fought to save his life.

Elizabeth Sim, 44, completed over 100 miles in the Dragon Ultra Race to raise funds for the charity close to her heart.

In 2016, Elizabeth was at the scene of the motorbike accident when Matt was tragically killed. The nurse, who works at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, watched first-hand the ‘amazing work of the Wales Air Ambulance’.

Since Matt’s death, his family and friends have raised thousands of pounds for the lifesaving helicopter charity. Originally, Elizabeth was due to run the Great Wall of China Marathon in May but due to the current coronavirus pandemic, it was cancelled.

Reflecting on why she picked the ultra race as her fundraiser, she said: “I sought out another challenge, and what I stumbled across was extremely out of my comfort zone. However, due to Covid-19, I knew that I had time to train, so I signed up to run the Dragon 100 Ultra Race.”

45 runners took part in the challenge - which started in Rhossili, Gower and finished in Cardiff – with only 18 crossing the finishing line. Elizabeth was one of only three women who managed to complete the race. She is ‘incredibly happy’ with being the second female finisher.

Speaking about completing the huge challenge, Elizabeth, said: “It was amazing. The route was brutal, and the weather was too hot.

“What a day though. It turns out that I am not a super-human after all, and I had to be put to bed. Putting my feet back on the floor or possibly utter dehydration caused sickness and a big dose of being light-headed. But what an experience.

“By mile 64 I was emotionally exhausted and cried over everything. At mile 77 everything from my hips down hurt like hell, and at mile 82 I broke my heart because I just didn't think I had the last bit in me.

“The last 10 miles were slow and even walking hurt. My running hubby, Steve, made me grit my teeth, work through the pain and I blinking well did it. 104 miles!”

Determined Elizabeth felt exhausted after the challenge, which left her only able to walk on the side of her feet, but she’s ‘utterly proud’ of what she has achieved.

Since losing Matt, Elizabeth has said that running became her coping mechanism. She felt running for the charity meant she ‘could give something back’, and it gave her ‘both a purpose and a goal’. 

Elizabeth, who is mum to Fern, 23, and Jake, 22, said her determination has rubbed off on her children. She added: “My children dread what I am going to do next. Since starting my running journey both have now completed a marathon too. I am extremely proud of their achievements.” 

After the accident, Elizabeth was determined to complete her nursing degree and now she works in the cardiac catheter theatres – a job which she absolutely loves.

Elizabeth’s friends and family have been very supportive of her fundraising. She said: “My family and friends think I am absolutely crazy, but they understand that my past is what drives me forward.

“I have been widowed twice, so moving forward, making a difference, showing others that no matter how dark the world around you is, you can make a difference, you can find the light and you can find happiness again. And better still, it inspires others to challenge themselves.”

Elizabeth would like to thank her children, her family, close friends, her work family and her running club Ogmore Phoenix Runners.

She said: “I would not be the determined, smiling person I am today without any of these people. My biggest thank you goes to Steve, who I ran the Dragon with. He helped me to train, he pushed me to continue when I struggled and he, like the rest of my supporters, never gave up faith in my ability to slay the Dragon.” 

Mark Stevens, Wales Air Ambulance Fundraising Manager, said: "Elizabeth has created an amazing legacy for Matt by raising money in his name to help others in need. We do not underestimate the enormity of the challenge, both mentally and physically, and to know that Elizabeth was doing this to support us is humbling.

“Congratulations on an incredible achievement and thank you to everybody who donated."

Elizabeth is delighted to have smashed her £100 target. You can still show your appreciation to Elizabeth by donating through her Just Giving page Elizabeth's The Dragon 100.