Chester Woman Defies Odds to Run Half Marathon for Air Ambulance That Saved Her
An inspirational Chester woman, who was told she might never walk again following a devastating accident, has set herself the monumental challenge of running the Chester Half Marathon as a heartfelt thank you to the Wales Air Ambulance.
A Life-Changing Collision
In August 2017, Christine Lloyd was visiting North Wales when the car she was travelling in was unexpectedly hit by a tractor. The passenger side bore the full force of the collision, trapping Christine in the vehicle for over an hour. Following the crash, she was left fighting for her life and urgently needed the assistance of the Wales Air Ambulance.
The charity's medics delivered critical pre-hospital care at the roadside before airlifting Christine to the Major Trauma Centre at University Hospital in Stoke. Her extensive injuries included a major internal bleed, a brain bleed, an open fracture to her right arm, three broken ribs, and multiple fractures in her back.
A Long and Painful Road to Recovery
Due to the severity of her injuries, Christine underwent several operations and faced a long, arduous recovery. "My doctors didn't know if I would ever walk again, so they decided to operate on my spine," said Christine, 39. "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."
Despite being in daily chronic pain, Christine is pushing her body to its limits to take on the half marathon for the cause that means so much to her. "I live in constant, chronic pain. Every day is difficult; my level of pain is not for the faint-hearted," she added. "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."
Training with Determination
Training is progressing well for Christine, despite a setback from shin splints that delayed her by three weeks. Her triplet brother, Edward, has been instrumental in helping her train. "I remain focused on doing my training as safely and as well as possible," Christine said. "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."
Currently, Christine trains three times a week: once for a 10-mile run with Edward and twice for 4-mile runs with her dog, Penny. "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," she admitted. "Just like my own recovery, I trust the path ahead."
A Celebration of Survival and Service
Christine is passionate about the Wales Air Ambulance and has raised funds for the charity in various ways since her accident. "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," she expressed. "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," Christine continued. "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."
Support from the Charity
Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance's regional fundraising manager, 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," Sima added. "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 more than £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."
About the Wales Air Ambulance
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, bringing hospital-standard treatments to patients and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital. It operates through a unique third-sector and public-sector partnership. The charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million needed annually to keep its 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 administering anaesthesia, delivering blood transfusions, and conducting minor operations at the scene. As a pan-Wales service, its crews travel across the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care, having attended over 26,000 missions since Christine's accident.
The Chester Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, May 17. Christine's fundraising efforts highlight her unwavering gratitude and resilience, turning personal tragedy into a powerful force for good.
