Charlotte Roach, 24

Charlotte Roach was an elite triathlete mentored and supported by Kelly Holmes, Olympic champion. Through 'On camp with Kelly' she represented Great Britain in cross-country, winning European junior medals. In 2009 she was selected onto Trigold - an acceleration program for the 2012 Olympics in Triathlon, sponsored by the Wells Sports Foundation.

Just a month later, in November 2009, Charlotte was out cycling with the world class performance squad when she was knocked off her bike and run over by an on-coming car. Charlotte sustained multiple serious injuries and was critically injured. Fortunately the first car to stop was Julie, a Leicester Tigers physiotherapist, who was able to recognise the seriousness of Charlotte's injuries. Charlotte was complaining of extreme back pain and was struggling to breath, which later developed into two collapsed lungs.

Charlotte said:"I was saved only by Julie's initial help and quick, expert medical attention from DLRAA. I suffered 12 broken spinal vertebrae, fractured multiple ribs, punctured both lungs and broke my collarbone and without the fast response from DLRAA my outcome may have been different and recovery slower."

Charlotte was airlifted to Royal Derby Hospital. Karl Bexon was one of the Air Ambulance paramedics who treated Charlotte on the scene. He said: "I can remember the accident clearly. Charlotte was very ill when we first arrived on the scene and in a great deal of pain.

"We assessed her injuries, stabilised her neck and back and put a collar on, then put Charlotte on a long board to prevent any movement and further injury.

"Charlotte was struggling to breath due to her punctured lung, so we re-inflated one lung with a chest drain, with a special procedure called a 'formal chest drain'. This procedure is usually only done in A&E departments, however as we had a Doctor on board we were able to do this and stabilise Charlotte."

Charlotte spent 4 days in ITU and a further 7 days in hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.

Charlotte said: "I later had three vertebrae fused with metal rods and my collarbone was left untreated to try and heal itself. I finally left hospital with 12 broken vertebrae, 3 of which were fixed, multiple broken ribs, two re-inflated lungs and a broken collarbone, and a huge fear of sneezing!"

"I tried to get back in training as soon as possible, as I wanted to get back on the performance squad. I made rapid progress and surprised the doctors having run 86mins 6weeks after spinal surgery.

"Just six months later, in May 2010 I finished 4th in the ITU (International Triathlon Union) European Cup Triathlon in Strathclyde. I felt very proud to have achieved this and it wouldn't have been possible without the help and positive support that I received from Barry Wells, Kelly Holmes and my other running coaches, friends and family."

"I am now feeling so much better and have returned to Cambridge University where I am studying for my finals before planning to cycle home from China (where I am teaching English) to raise money for DLRAA.

"As a charity, they are amazing and by cycling from China to the UK. I want to show people who have undergone major surgery what can be achieved but crucially I want to raise money and raise awareness of just what the DLRAA do. They really do save lives - I'm living proof."