My story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I’m looking for your support for something really important, and I hope you can help. 

My friends and I are doing a 12 hour challenge, covering a total distance of 380km (distance from Newbury to Ludlow and then back home safely!) to raise money for MARS (Mercia Accident Rescue Service) who treated Michelle, Jo, Clare and Fiona after their terrible bus crash accident in November 2008 and who saved Jo's life at the scene. 

MARS is a rapid response charity, made up of a very experienced volunteer team of doctors, who are specifically trained in major trauma, they perform pre hospital emergency care and surgery for people who need immediate and often life-saving care at the scene of an accident.

Jo, Michelle, Fiona and Clare's Story

On November 28th 2008, Jo, Michelle, Fiona & Clare went on their annual girls weekend away. This year the trip took them to Ludlow to see the Christmas market. They arrived early afternoon and spent the next couple of hours looking around the town. Just after 5pm, they were heading back to where they were staying when Clare shouted 'watch the bus', it all happened very quickly and before they knew it the bus had mounted the pavement and had ploughed into them. Michelle suffered a dislocated knee, both Fiona & Clare were bruised and battered, and Jo had taken the full impact of the bus. She sustained life-threatening chest, pelvic and back injuries, as well as breaking five ribs and damaging the ligaments in her right leg.


First on the scene were the amazing fire crew, who looked after them so well, and then Dr Malcolm Russell from MARS arrived, along with the paramedics. Malcolm undertook a procedure at the scene where he put a pelvic belt on Jo to try and manage her internal bleeding, basically her pelvis was fractured and had sprung open, like a book. By doing this at the scene it started to control the huge amount of internal bleeding. Michelle, Jo, Fiona and Clare eventually arrived at Shrewsbury Hospital around 10pm and Jo underwent emergency surgery through the night. 

Everyone involved in all of the girls' care has been absolutely amazing, the fire crew, the paramedics, the nurses and doctors at both Shrewsbury and Oxford, physio's, personal trainers, key workers and of course family and friends, but without MARS and particularly Malcolm Russell, Jo wouldn't be here today.

So, this is why I am  taking part in this challenge to try and raise as much money for this wonderful charity, enabling them to carry on with their work. One day someone you love might need their help, so please give what you can.  


Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now. Thank you.

My gallery 2

My Teams

My company

My charity

Mercia Accident Rescue Service

Mercia Accident Rescue Service

Charity Registration No. 515343

Pre Hospital Immediate Medical Care for Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Donations 54

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Money collected - well done all. Really enjoyed it x

Donation by Nicola Walters on 26/07/10

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

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Sorry I got in on this a little late, but heck, I'm way over in Seattle, Washington. (I really just lost the last email) Congrats!

Donation by Jan Gardner on 16/07/10

£10.00

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Well done ... sounds like you all did a fantastic job .... including Uncle Alan x x

Donation by Philippa Tadman on 16/07/10

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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This is money I collected really enjoyed the day!

Donation by Colette Keelty on 13/07/10

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

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Good luck!

Donation by David Baylis on 10/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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This money is from Dominic and Rose, they are doing a sponsored bike ride round Albert Road Park this weekend and have found themselves a few sponsor!

Donation by Ruth Martin on 09/07/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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What time will you be home . . ?! Good luck!

Donation by William Watson on 09/07/10

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

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Sorry we can't be there on the big day but happy to help this fantastic cause. Knees up, ladies!

Donation by James & Rebecca Ranson on 09/07/10

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

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Michelle and Jenny Good luck and well done in advance I'll be thinking of you

Donation by Caroline Gould on 09/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Go Jen, it's for a great cause!

Donation by Pat Lewis on 08/07/10

£10.00

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I hope you do well sis we are very proud of you RH and J

Donation by Ross Grey on 07/07/10

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Good luck Tracy & Chris! The smaller charities often get over looked and it's great to some healthy Support coming in for MARS.

Donation by Steve Boulton on 07/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Hi Rob & Michelle - I had no idea of Michelle's terrible accident. Hope all is now well. Good luck with the fund raising.

Donation by Sandra Rose on 02/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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A great cause. Good luck to all of you!

Donation by Liz Whitworth on 01/07/10

£20.00

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This extra one is courtesy of Bill & Brenda next door

Donation by Alan Ney on 30/06/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Run, Rob, Run

Donation by Sarah Girdlestone on 29/06/10

£10.00

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Donation by Stephen Byrne on 29/06/10

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Don't let uncle Alan cheat!

Donation by Joanne & Stuart xx on 27/06/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Go for it Erica and friends!

Donation by Ann Conquest on 26/06/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Best of luck...

Donation by Anna & Ed on 25/06/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Sounds absolutely ghastly but go for it girl! Love from Auntie Iris

Donation by Iris Driscoll on 24/06/10

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Amazing story with a happy end, great cause.

Donation by Eric Bigham on 23/06/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Fancy dress? Giraffe outfit on the ergo would help you stand out!!

Donation by Chris White on 21/06/10

£10.00

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Good luck Alan - you are amazing and it wouldn't surprise me if you were cycling to Mars!

Donation by Tim & Susie on 21/06/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Donation by Julian Bailey on 21/06/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£1,180.00
  • Offline donations£0.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£1,180.00
  • Gift Aid£308.85

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.