A CHAMPION athlete has been reunited with the doctor who she said saved her life.
Jill Libby from Ingleby Arncliffe, North Yorkshire, has presented the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) with more than £5,000, twice the cost of the charity’s life-saving rescue mission.
The 55-year-old was cycling to collect her youngest child from school when the incident happened on June 21st last year. As she waited at a junction at the A172 near Faceby, two cars collided, one of which struck her at 50mph.
She was flung 20 metres through the air and sustained serious injuries to her chest, arm and head. Following the crash, she was treated on the spot by GNAAS and Yorkshire Ambulance Service before being airlifted to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, for emergency surgery.
The incident happened just a week before Mrs Libby was due to compete in the World Masters’ Orienteering Championships, having already been crowned British champion in her age category.
Despite her lengthy rehabilitation, Mrs Libby has been able to rebuild her fitness and on the first anniversary of the accident, she was able to complete a fundraising cycle taking in the 20 mile round trip she had been due to take 12 months earlier.
She said: “I’d like to say thanks to the many people who have given support, friendship and wisdom during the past year. This recovery process was started at the road side, by the quick response and expertise of the emergency and rescue services.
“I am delighted by the amount of money I have raised for GNAAS, almost double the cost of a call out. It feels good to end what has been a difficult year on such a positive note.”
Mrs Libby raised the money through GNAAS’ online-giving website www.createanddonate.co.uk and soon exceeded her original target by more than five times the amount.
She recently handed over a cheque to the Dr Dave Bramley, who treated her on the day of her incident.
She said: “It was a good experience and very therapeutic to speak to Dr Bramley about the incident. The charity do an amazing job. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “It was an emotional moment to see the two reunited. We are immensely grateful to Jill for her fundraising. Not only has she paid for her own rescue, but she has also paid for the rescue of another.”
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