Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In November 2020, my husband, son and me decided to go for a walk near Haweswater. It was a very cold day, but bright and sunny - the reflections on the lake were amazing. Because it was a cold day we decided to do a relatively easy walk of around 6 miles taking in Branstree and Selside Pike - ticking off a couple of Wainwrights! 

We had lunch just before the final ascent to Branstree, had a photo by the cairn and then moments later I tripped and fell. Immediately I knew it was a bit more than 'just a sprain'. My husband rang Mountain Rescue and luckily I have the What3Words app so they were able to pinpoint our location. 

Sitting on top of a fell waiting for Mountain Rescue made me realise just how lucky we are to have these wonderful volunteers. I was in a lot of pain, and even though I had lots of layers on, a flask of tea, and an emergency foil blanket, I was getting cold. Plus I was worried about how my husband and son would get back down. Luckily we got a call from Penrith Mountain Rescue to say they were on their way and to make sure we were all ok. They said they had put in a call to Helimed as well. 

About three hours after my fall, we hear the distant sound of a helicopter approaching. It circled over us before landing behind me, and soon two paramedics were with me. They carefully took my walking boot off and cut my sock off - my ankle was looking very round! They put my leg in an inflatable splint and helped me into the helicopter. Because of the weather, they were preparing to fly me down to Lancaster Hospital.

Meanwhile, the volunteers from Penrith Mountain Rescue were just arriving on the scene! Although the North West Air Ambulance had taken me, it was now getting dark so my husband and son needed help getting back down off the fell. They really helped put my son's mind at ease, chatting to him and he made friends with the dog in their team. I was relieved that not only was I on my way to hospital, but they would be safe too. 

Mountain Rescue and the Air Ambulance are all volunteers. Amazing people who give up their time to help people in need and using donations from kind and generous people. You never know when you might need them. We are experienced walkers and were on a relatively 'simple' route, but it just shows that one trip can land you with a broken ankle - and then you're stuck!!

I am taking part in the Big Bala Swim - an open water event in Snowdonia National Park. Its a 9km swim which I'm doing with some teammates from when we swam The Channel in a relay team. I am raising money for Penrith Mountiain Rescue and the North West Air Ambulance who jointly rescued me and my family from the fell!

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.