In July 2021, 63-year-old Gwen Rickman nearly lost her arm when she aquaplaned off the M3 by Winchester.
As a way of saying thank you, against all odds, Gwen will be attempting to complete our 5km night-time fun run, Dash in the Dark on Saturday 24 September.
Gwen and her family will be leading the pack, proudly sporting runner number 1.
When our team arrived by Gwen’s side, she had no recordable blood pressure. She was eventually freed from the wreckage and flown to University Hospital Southampton, where she stayed in intensive care for three days and in hospital for a further three and a half weeks.
The team on scene by Gwen’s side
Gwen had fractured her pelvis and fifth metacarpal, broke her eighth rib and cracked two others, punctured a lung and had an open fracture to her right humerus. The open fracture in her arm required reconstructive surgery and intensive physiotherapy.
Gwen said:
“Without the Air Ambulance, I wouldn’t be alive today. I feel honoured to be here; I’m a very lucky lady. I never thought I would need them. Hopefully I won’t need them again, but you never know.”
Gwen’s car after the accident
To show her appreciation for our service, Gwen, her family and friends are taking part in Dash in the Dark: a 5K on Southampton Common on Saturday 24 September.
She added: “If I can raise money to help keep them flying, then I will. We are all so grateful to them for keeping me alive. I will never be able to thank them enough.”
Check in for Dash in the Dark will open from 6pm. The warm up will start at 7pm, with the 5km dash beginning at 7.15pm, as darkness falls.
The route is softly lit and paved throughout, though head torches are essential.
All participants will receive a free Dash in the Dark T-shirt and a glow in the dark medal at the finish line.
Have you got your ticket yet? More than 300 tickets have now been sold, so be quick.
