Angharad Completes 150-Mile Challenge for Charity that Saved her Life

A mum-of-one has completed over150 miles throughout September, running and walking, to raise £700 for a charity that saved her life.

Angharad Jenkins, who is originally from Ammanford but now lives in Loughor, set herself the challenge to show her appreciation to the Wales Air Ambulance after the charity came to her aid following a car accident in 2013.

The car she was travelling in was struck by a lorry at approximately 50mph on the road leading from Tycroes, Ammanford to Pontabraham roundabout.

Despite having broken bones, Angharad managed to vacate the car and laid on a grass verge awaiting assistance alongside her friend.

Speaking about the accident, Angharad said: “The Wales Air Ambulance medics more than likely saved my life following a pretty serious road traffic collision. As my friend lay next to me injured and screaming in despair, my body started to shut down as I went into shock at the roadside.

“Wales Air Ambulance were quick to the scene providing me with the critical medical care I needed and transported me rapidly to Morrison Hospital where the amazing trauma team was on standby. The accident left me with lifelong injuries which have scared me both mentally and physically.”

Angharad, who is mum to three-year-old Cari, describes the accident as leaving her with ‘a determination like no other’. Her injuries included a broken right ankle, broken left hand, two fractured ribs, torn ligaments in her left foot and right knee, deep lacerations and scaring on both elbows and right leg, abdominal bleeding and slight Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Following the accident, Angharad spent 12 days in hospital and two months in a wheelchair due to the extent of all her injuries combined.

The Carmarthenshire substance misuse support worker showed how determined she was to complete her challenge by running 75 miles and walking 76 miles.

To be able to get the miles in each day, Angharad set a daily 4:30am alarm. This allowed her to complete the challenge without it impacting significantly on her workload and family life.

Reflecting on completing the challenge during the anniversary month, Angharad said: “I’m now exhausted but somewhat motivated to complete a new challenge. I’m also committed to keeping up my new increased level of fitness.

“I pushed my body too hard during week one and developed a painful knot in my calf. It took a few days to recover from this, but I learned to listen to my body and not overdo it from that point.

“September is always a month of reflecting on how far I have come in my recovery and I completed a personal “7 miles for 7 years” challenge on that particular day.”

Angharad has been delighted with the support she received during her challenge. She was joined by her partner Joe for some of the longer runs, and her daughter Cari and dog Bailey did a lot of walking too. Her friend Rachel also walked 6 miles along the Millennium Coastal Path to support her friend.

Angharad would like to thank her family, friends, work colleagues and strangers that have donated, shared her story and supported her along the way, as well as her partner Joe ‘for being an immense support’.

Determined Angharad has now signed herself up to complete the Cardiff Half Marathon in March in aid of the lifesaving helicopter charity.

She said: “It’s inspired me to keep going, to set and achieve new goals and fundraise further for the charity.”

Mark Stevens, Wales Air Ambulance South Wales Fundraising Manager, said: “Congratulations to Angharad who has shown, despite what she has been through, that she indeed has a determination like no other. Her commitment to getting up every day for a month at 4.30am, whilst working and raising a young family, is incredible.

“It is always heart-warming to hear stories like Angharad’s, and we’re delighted to hear that she will be running the Cardiff Half Marathon for our charity. Thank you to everyone who has donated to the fundraiser and a huge thank you to everyone who either joined Angharad for a walk or run. It is much appreciated.”

You can sponsor Angharad for taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon via her Just Giving page Cardiff Half 28/03/2021.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/angharad-jenkins1