An inspirational Chester woman who was told she might not walk again, following an accident, has set herself the huge challenge of running the Chester Half Marathon as a thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance.
In August 2017 Christine Lloyd was visiting Wales when unexpectedly the car she was travelling in was hit by a tractor.
The passenger side of the car took the full force of the collision, trapping Christine in the vehicle for over an hour.
Following the collision Christine was left fighting for her life and needed the help of the Wales Air Ambulance.
The Charity’s medics delivered pre-hospital care at the side of the road and flew Christine to the Major Trauma Centre at University Hospital in Stoke.
Christine’s injuries included a major internal bleed and a bleed to her brain. She also had an open fracture to her right arm, three broken ribs and she broke her back in several places.
Due to her injuries, she underwent several operations and had a long road to recovery ahead of her.
Christine, 39, said: “My doctors didn’t know if I would ever walk again so they decided to operate on my spine. I underwent a further six-hour surgery to rebuild my spine. Surgeons worked tirelessly to build a metal frame around my spine, with the hope of being able to walk again.”
Reflecting on the huge challenge ahead Christine said: “Part of me thinks I must be mad, but I’m honestly honoured to be attempting to run the Chester Half Marathon for the Wales Air Ambulance.
“I’ve chosen to do it this year to help mark the Charity’s 25th anniversary year! Let’s do it in style!”
Despite being in daily chronic pain Christine will push her body to its limits to take on the half marathon for the cause that means so much to her.
She said: “I live in constant, chronic pain. Every day is difficult; my level of pain is not for the faint hearted. However, I remain determined to carry on as usual. I’m doing well. My spinal fusion is holding up well. I put a lot of this down to the expert surgery I had. My way of thinking is I’m always in pain so I may as well try and make this pain count.
“Pain is my constant companion, but I’ve trained myself and my mind to accept it, using it as additional fuel and channel it into good. This will be an extension of that training. We can put it to the test on the day!”
Training is going well for Christine, despite suffering a shin splint, which set her back three weeks. Christine’s triplet brother Edward has also been helping her train
She said: “I remain focused on doing my training as safely and as well as possible. Edward and I recently managed our first 10-mile milestone run together. I’ll never forget achieving that! Ed ran three marathons last year. Seeing him run those inspired this entire goal.”
At present Christine is training three times a week; once a week she runs 10 miles with Edward and twice a week she runs 4 miles with her dog Penny.
Christine said: “I’m extremely nervous about the half marathon but my own determination and excitement to make this once in a lifetime goal a reality outweighs my nerves. Just like my own recovery, I trust the path ahead.”
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. It is delivered via a unique third-sector and public-sector partnership.
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Christine is so passionate about the Wales Air Ambulance and since her accident she has raised funds in a variety of different ways for the Charity. Since Christine’s accident the Charity has attended more than 26,000 missions.
Christine added: “Without the Wales Air Ambulance I would not have survived the car accident, and I can’t put into words how highly I think of them all.
“Over the years we’ve achieved many successes together. This run will be a celebration of the incredible work the Charity continues to do, and it will also be a nod to my own strength across these past years. It will be a celebration of making it out the other side of some incredibly tough days.
“I want my run to be a reminder of what’s possible after receiving such crucial, swift care from my pilot and team that day. I owe the Wales Air Ambulance everything. We share a deep personal bond! I remain a living testimony to the incredible, world class care they provide.”
Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Manager for the area said: “To hear that Christine will be taking on the half marathon after everything that she has been through is incredible. It is remarkable that after being told she might not walk again she is running a half marathon. It is so humbling that despite the pain she still faces daily she is determined to raise funds for our Charity. Christine’s passion for the Charity is evident with her continued support of the Wales Air Ambulance.
“Christine knows firsthand how important our service is and I hope people will get behind Christine and help her reach her fundraising target. She has already raised over £500 of her £1,500 target, which is amazing.
“Thank you Christine, we really do appreciate your continued support, and it is remarkable that you will be taking on this huge challenge. You’re a true inspiration.”
The Chester Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 17 May. You can show your support to Christine by donating to her fundraising page www.justgiving.com/page/christine-lloyd-3
