Mother hosting charity night ten years after horrific car crash

A MOTHER is hosting a charity night in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), ten years after they saved the lives of her children who were involved in a horrific car crash.

Jack Handyside, 20, and Sophie Handyside, 18, suffered catastrophic injuries following a collision in Staindrop, County Durham, in September 2012.

Two aircraft from GNAAS were sent to the incident to deliver advanced critical care, and they requested help from Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Jack had a bleed on the brain, which was severely swollen, while Sophie suffered a fractured skull and broken wrist.

They were both anaesthetised on scene and airlifted by GNAAS to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, while their father was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Jack and Sophie’s mother Julie Elstob, from Barnard Castle, said: “They both have traumatic brain injuries and will require 24-hour support for the rest of their lives and will never live independently.

“Lots of rehab and hard work has got them to where they are today.

“Jack is currently doing volunteering with support at a local animal rescue centre and Sophie is attending college with support doing Health and Social Care.”

Ever since the incident, Julie, from Barnard Castle, has held several fundraisers in aid of GNAAS and will be hosting an event on 1 October, just days after the tenth anniversary of the crash.

She said: “It will be ten years in September since GNAAS’ aircraft were needed for Jack and Sophie.

“Without the air ambulance I believe they wouldn’t be here today. It was the quick work of getting them to hospital and the life-saving treatment that made a difference, so I’m organising another charity evening for them.”