A flatbed lorry came onto my side of the road and hit me full on

WOMAN’S CHARITY CYCLE MISSION AFTER INCREDIBLE RECOVERY

A MUM-OF-ONE who was left hospitalised after being hit by a drink-driver has cycled almost 300 miles to raise money for charity following her miraculous recovery.

Corinne Bailey was driving to work on the morning of December 17, 2018, when she was hit by a HGV which had veered onto the wrong side of Manchester Road, close to Redbrook Reservoir, in Marsden.

The 54-year-old was airlifted to the major trauma unit in Leeds where she underwent surgery.

Corinne, who lives Slaithwaite, had suffered a fractured pelvis, hand and femur as a result of the crash. One of the vertebrae in her back was also cracked, while another was completely crushed.

Recalling the day of the accident, Corinne said: “I was driving to work very early in the morning – it was foggy.

“I reached Redbrook Reservoir and a man in a flatbed lorry came over to my side of the road and hit me full on. I don’t remember anything about it – apart from a cracked windscreen.”

It later emerged that the man behind the wheel of the lorry was driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Corinne has since engaged in a restorative justice programme with the driver, who she says is “truly remorseful”.

Following her surgery, Corinne spent a week in hospital before returning home on Christmas Eve, where she was cared for by her sister – an orthopaedic nurse and vicar.

“Initially, you make a very, very big recovery,” said Corinne.

“I was in theatre until 1am and then

in at 2pm the next afternoon the physio was waving a zimmer frame at me!

“They get you moving straight away. But small things like climbing stairs is still difficult now.

“It took about 18 months to be able to walk without always being conscious of my leg and I do yoga to help with the back pain.”

As part of her continued recovery, Corinne started building up the miles on a new road bike she purchased in September.

As the miles continued to increase, the mum decided to commit to a mammoth challenge in the name of Cancer Research UK.

Throughout this month, Corinne has cycled a huge 292 miles around the local area as part of her 300-mile fundraiser.

At the time of writing, she has raised £840 for the charity and Corinne is planning on completing the remaining eight miles in a “last dramatic dash” today.

Corinne, who works at Oldham Hulme Grammar, said she decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK as she personally knows several people who have been affected by the disease – including her own dad.

And as her challenge draws to a close, the 54-year-old is hoping to reach the £1,000 mark.

“If I could get it there it would be absolutely excellent,” she said.

“It’s (the fundraiser) been absolutely fantastic. Motivating, great for the mind and wonderful to be outdoors.

“I was on a plateau in terms of the strength of my legs but in the last month it has been fantastic.”

■■There is still time to donate to Corinne’s fundraiser and you can do so by visiting: fundraise.cancerresearch uk.org and searching for ‘Corinne Bailey’

I don’t remember anything about it –

apart from a cracked windscreen