On the 5th April 2012, my life changed forever. Whilst driving to work, I was stopped forcefully and abruptly by a stolen car in a police pursuit. 

I remember nothing about that day, or much from the days following. I broke my back and my right knee, bruised my lungs and had some bleeding on the brain, leaving me in an induced coma for a few days. I was in a full leg cast for two months and a back brace for four. I could not sit up for almost three months, and initially was not able to even feed myself properly because of my restricted movement and strength. I cried every single day because I didn't think I would ever see light at the end of the tunnel. I thought I would be permanently disabled and just kept wishing I could go for a run to help free my mind from the pain and distress. When my leg cast came off, I couldn't bend my leg and had to learn to walk all over again. When my back brace came off, I couldn't hold my body upright for more than half an hour due to lack of muscle. It was, without a doubt, the toughest challenge I've ever faced and I couldn't have done it without my family and friends. 

I was airlifted to Romford hospital by the Herts Air Ambulance (the same trust as the Essex Air Ambulance). That day, they did something entirely incredible for me. 

I believe that I was always meant to live through that crash; what the Air Ambulance did was give me a life worth coming back to. They enabled me to keep running, and those of you who know me will appreciate that sport is my everything.

I became very agitated when I was pulled out of my car, struggling aggressively and continuously, putting my broken back at severe risk of drastic, long term damage. The helicopter crew sent me to sleep, which the ground crew was not allowed to do. This forced me to stay still, keeping my broken bones stable. 

I was unbelievably lucky that Jonty, Laurie and Nicky were there for me that day. Without their speed, knowledge and skills, my injuries would have been so much worse. 

Being out of sport for half a year was extremely tough and debilitating. But rather than crying over something I couldn't change, I chose to set myself a target. I signed up for an Ironman triathlon called City to Summit, which takes place in Scotland and involves running up Ben Nevis. Thought I would start simple...... 

I've done a number of ultra endurance events before and honestly thought I might never be able to do one again, so setting this challenge gave me so much hope and optimism. I've been training since September - the earliest point I could manage - and hope that I will be able to complete this race. Honestly, I'm not sure if I will make it all the way to the finish line, but I will not give up hope. I survived a car crash; I can survive an Ironman. 

Please give generously - the Air Ambulance not only saves lives; they change them too. Without their support, I would never have reached this point. I could never thank them enough for what they did for me, but I hope that with your help, we can assist them in getting others through horrendous accidents. 

I am only able to take part in this race because it's the gift they gave me. 

"In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me there was an invincible Summer."