A woman who had to relearn to walk and talk has incredibly completed the Dublin Marathon in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance which helped save her life.
Experienced horse rider Hannah Watson, from Manchester, was competing in the Llanymynech horse trials on her horse Beau when her life changed within moments. Beau tripped on landing resulting in a rotational cross-country fall.
The accident, in 2017, resulted in Hannah suffering with three bleeds on the brain and she fractured four vertebrae in her spine. The Wales Air Ambulance attended to Hannah and flew her to the Royal Stoke Hospital.
Hannah, who is a Head Dental Nurse, was kept in a coma for four days and spent a week in intensive care. She spent time in a neuro surgical ward and then moved to neuro rehab for a further two weeks. Hannah spent over a month in hospital before she could go home.
When Hannah regained consciousness, she suffered from post-traumatic amnesia, and she was paralysed on her right side.
Following the accident, the determined eventer had to learn to walk, talk and write again.
Incredibly since her accident she has continued with her determination and has fundraised for the Wales Air Ambulance.
She has previously raised more than £2,400 through a 10k run and the Manchester Half Marathon.
Hannah remarkably set herself the huge challenge that most people would shy away from – The Dublin Marathon and she ran in 4 hours and 31 minutes.
The 26.2 mile marathon took place on 26 October and Hannah set herself the fundraising target of £800. She has smashed that amount by raising over £2,000, including gift aid, for the all-Wales Charity.
Hannah who never ran prior to her accident, said: “It rained all day, but the marathon was lovely until half way and my legs hurt. It was an amazing atmosphere with everyone supporting each other and I got to hear everyone else’s stories.
“I’m not one to get emotional but during the marathon twice, I thought ‘look at me now, I’m incredibly lucky to be able to do this’. I am so grateful.
“My accident made me realise you need to do what you can in life and try and make the most of what I’ve got and also how lucky I am.”
Hannah is extremely grateful to her friend Ella, who flew out to support her on the day. She said: “It was lovely to have Ella there to support me. She was the one friend that came to visit me in hospital when I was unable to get out of bed. It was lovely for her to see me run a marathon.”
The 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 critical care.
Hannah is thankful to her family and friends for their support during the Dublin Marathon and for the incredible amount that she has raised for the charity close to her heart.
However, now that a marathon is ticked off on Hannah’s bucket list it is something she doesn’t plan on doing again in the future.
Kate Thomas, Regional Fundraising Manager for the area, said: “Hannah knows first-hand how important our service is. What Hannah has achieved is incredible, from re-learning to walk, talk and write, she has now completed a marathon! We’re extremely grateful that after all that Hannah has been through, she continues to raise funds for our lifesaving Charity.
“Congratulations Hannah on completing the Dublin Marathon and ticking the marathon off your bucket list. Taking part in a marathon is something most people would shy away from, but not Hannah, who has gone through so much since her accident and has continued to use her determination to achieve incredible goals.
“Since Hannah’s accident she has raised over £4,400 for the charity, which is amazing.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported Hannah with her fundraising events in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance. You have all played in part in saving lives across Wales.
“Every pound raised will help keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road.”
There’s still time to show your support to Hannah by donating to her JustGiving page here
www.justgiving.com/page/hannah-watson-5
