08
Jul
Kirkby Malzeard woman hit by tractor helps raise £35,000 for charity that 'saved my life'
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A woman who suffered life-changing injuries when a tractor hit her near Ripley has expressed her gratitude after over £35,000 was raised in a charity TV appeal.
Lucie Maguire, 23, was struck by the tractor and dragged under its trailer in 2021. Doctors compared her injuries to those of bomb blast victims.
Her story was one of three that featured in Day One Trauma Support’s BBC Lifeline Appeal that was shown during April and May on various BBC channels.
It was the first time the charity’s work had been shown on national TV.
The nine-minute film was presented by former Royal Marine Commando and Strictly Come Dancing contestant JJ Chalmers.
He also suffered life-changing injuries following an IED explosion in Afghanistan.
Lucie and her family from Kirkby Malzeard received help from Day One Trauma Support after Lucie spent 18 months in hospital recovering from multiple, serious traumatic injuries, including amputation of her right leg.
They were supported by a Day One caseworker during her time in hospital.
They provided crucial emotional support during recovery and also offered practical advice around accessing benefits and adapting to life as a young disabled woman.
The money, raised by donations from viewers, will help the charity provide support to more people who have suffered similar trauma.
The charity was boosted by £12,500 in matched funding from a personal gift from a supporter, and from Premex Group, an independent provider of medico-legal reports, rehabilitation, case management and investigation services.
This week, Lucie and Carol Gremson, clinical governance lead at Premex Group, joined Day One staff, volunteers and founder, Prof Peter Giannoudis, for a celebratory photo outside Leeds General Infirmary, home to Leeds Major Trauma Centre.
Lucie said:
I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported Day One’s BBC Lifeline Appeal. It means this fantastic charity can be there for more people like me in their time of need. I feel like Day One saved my life, they were amazing. They were one of my constants, providing that emotional support that the busy NHS staff just don't have the time to give.
Lucie is still on her recovery journey and faces further surgeries.
But she said she continues to see support from Day One.
Hayley Ibbotson, senior corporate fundraiser at Day One Trauma Support, said:
We’re extremely grateful to everyone who donated to our first ever TV appeal. This was a huge opportunity for us to let more people know we exist, to not only give hope for the future, but to also inspire people to donate.
A massive thank you to Lucie and our other volunteers who shared their stories so powerfully, and to our matched funders, including Premex Group, which means people’s donations will go even further so we can help more people rebuild their life after catastrophic injury.
To watch the TV appeal, click here.
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