Ricky’s “That Explains A Lot” Run

For my family and friends, and those of you who have known me for a long time, the 22nd of November 2012 is no doubt etched in your heads more firmly than it is mine. For everyone else reading this, the following story, will, I’m sure, explain a lot!

This is the day my life, and the lives of my family and friends, changed forever.

The morning started like any other. I had put in a couple of hours work and had parked up in a layby to have my break. Thinking about nothing more than concert tickets and Kirstin’s Christmas present, I was my usual chilled out self.

And then everything went black.

An articulated lorry had collided with my van.

Hitting me from behind, it crushed my work’s van into the lorry parked in front of me creating a concertina effect with the van. I blacked out almost immediately but know now that I was trapped, unable to move, and completely at the mercy of what came next.

Thankfully, that was a whole series of amazing people determined to save my life.

Emergency services were called and they appeared en masse. Firefighters cut me free, and first responders, ambulance crews and police officers all played their part in keeping the site safe and the response quick. The most unexpected of my heroes though, was a member of the public, Mark Kelly, who was working in the building opposite. He spotted what had happened but he didn’t just watch. He jumped an 8-foot fence to try to help in any way he could.

I was taken to Ninewells where a CT scan showed the damage: a severely depressed skull fracture, crush injuries to both legs, and deep lacerations to my arm. I was rushed into an emergency craniotomy – that’s brain surgery to us non-medical people – and then placed in an induced coma for just over a fortnight.

I woke up in the ITU at Ninewells, confused, hurting, and — as I’m sure the nurses would tell you — not the easiest patient. There were times I tried to escape, convinced I could just go home.

At that time, I had no idea how close I had been to not making it at all.

It was to be a long recovery, but like the angels they are, on 24th December the staff arranged a 24-hour home visit so I could spend Christmas with my family. Of course, no-one believed me given my history of trying to escape but the nurses assured them all it was true! Walking through the door to see Kirstin, Neiv and Erin — then just 5 and 2 — is something I will always remember. It meant everything to me.

On 3rd January 2013, I was moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit where I stayed until 25th January, relearning, recovering and trying to make sense of a life that looked very different.

And of course, this accident didn’t just happen to me. It happened to my family. It happened to my friends. It happened to everyone who had to watch, wait, worry, and pick up the pieces of my life.

People rallied around in ways I’ll always be grateful for. From helping with the kids, doing school runs, and dance classes to my workmates who organised a whip-round to support Kirstin while I was in hospital, it took a village to get me through it.

Now, it’s time to give something back.

The Challenge

Part One

On 22nd November, 13 years after it happened, I’ll be running from the site of the accident (the layby no longer exits but it’ll be close enough!) to Ninewells A&E, and then onwards to Royal Victoria Hospital. By my reckoning this is around 27.5 miles.

Part Two

On 25th January 2026, I’ll run from Royal Victoria Hospital back to my home in Perth completing a 20-mile journey.

If you’d told me back then that I’d ever run this distance, I’d have laughed – or maybe cried. But a long time has passed and after joining Club300 nearly a year ago, something changed. The coaches have pushed me, believed in me, and helped me believe in myself. Special thanks to Gregor, Mike and the whole team for keeping me going.

The Causes

I’m doing all of this to raise money for the people and organisations who helped save my life, and who continuously support people like me who’ve had their lives turned upside down by trauma:

• The Benevolent Fund for Nurses in Scotland

Helping nurses in Scotland who are struggling financially due to illness or hardship.

• Headway

Supporting people living with traumatic brain injuries and helping families cope with the long-term effects.

• Lifelines

Supporting emergency service workers dealing with PTSD and trauma from the job.

I owe my life to these people. Running 27.5 miles a couple of times is a lot for me, but yet still feels like nothing compared to what they do every day of the week.

If you can donate, share the page, or even just read my story — thank you. It means more than you’ll ever know.

Richard