Car crash survivor signs up for epic fundraising challenge

Back in November 2013, Shelley Faulkner was driving to work when her car skidded on a patch of ice; spinning across the road, narrowly missing a tree as it rolled, crashing through a ditch, Shelley was found screaming and trapped in the driver’s seat.

Shelley, who was 27 at the time of the crash, hit her head, smashing the driver’s side window, causing multiple lacerations and breaking her neck in the process. Her injuries were severe, and she needed immediate care to save her life. Thankfully, other motorists were on hand to call 999 and reassure her until help came. Writing in her blog, Shelley said: “There are a few people that I remember; I’ve been lucky enough to obtain the names of and have contact with three. The first was Andy Freke. I owe so much to this man, he held my hand, told me not to undo my seatbelt the numerous times I attempted, called 999 and stayed with me until the ambulance had taken me.”

Her injuries were so severe that the Midlands Air Ambulance was called to get her the immediate care that she needed. The paramedic from the helicopter, Candice, reassured Shelley that everything was going to be OK, and she was taken by road ambulance to Redditch A&E before being transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) under the care of the Trauma Team.

Following a nine day stay in the QEHB critical care department, including multiple operations on her arms and neck, Shelley was transferred to the trauma ward before being able to go home and continue her recovery from the devastating injuries that could easily have led to full paralysis or even death.

Now, five years on from the accident that changed her life, Shelley is taking part in an epic fundraising challenge. The Saving Lives Challenge is taking place at QEHB and will see a huge team of medical staff and volunteers keep two static bikes and a treadmill running, 12 hours a day, for five days. The challenge is raising money for the critical care team at QEHB and the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, two organisations that were so important in saving Shelley’s life.

Shelley said: “When I found out about the Saving Lives Challenge I just knew that I had to do my bit to help the team complete the challenge! I would not be here today without the expertise and care of the Midlands Air Ambulance paramedics and the doctors and nurses at QEHB.”

“I received the best possible care at QEHB. It’s full of amazing staff including: doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, cleaners, porters and volunteers. I am so lucky to have pulled through with little visible impact on my physical appearance, but a changed outlook on life. I have enjoyed fundraising to give something back to QEHB in the past, and I’m really looking forward to taking on this new challenge.”

Shelley, who has since trained and qualified as an Occupational Therapist, will be joined in her challenge by Neurosurgeon Mr Navin Furtado, who operated on Shelley whilst she was in hospital. He said: “It is wonderful when patients return to the hospital to help raise money for the Charity. I will be proud to cycle alongside Shelley in the Saving Lives Challenge.”

Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity, Sophie Carroll, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Charity I would like to thank Shelley for her amazing spirit and determination to raise money. We are all incredibly excited for the Saving Lives Challenge, which will raise funds to support the incredible work of the Midlands Air Ambulance and the critical care team here at QEHB.”

You can find out more about the Saving Lives Challenge, and donate to support the two charities at justgiving.com/campaign/savingliveschallenge

Shelley, pictured in hospital after her accident.