Crash woman to ‘swim M60’ for good cause
AWOMAN who learnt to walk again following a horrific car crash that left her hospitalised for eight months will swim the distance of the M60 to raise money for vulnerable children.
Janette Smith from Hazel Grove spent two weeks in intensive care after the smash in Stockport in 2014.
The 41-year-old suffered dozens of injuries, including a broken hip and pelvis, smashed ankle, broken ribs, toes and fingers and underwent several operations to try and repair the damage.
She was told by doctors that the odds of her walking again were against her, but determined Janette refused to listen and astounded specialists when she turned up for a follow-up appointment on crutches.
Over the past two years, she has worked hard to rebuild her strength and started undergoing physiotherapy at the Physio Lounge in Manchester.
“They were incredible,” Janette said. “They’ve helped me, motivated me, supported me and pushed me past what I thought I could ever do.
“In November 2015, after my wounds had healed, I started going to the hydrotherapy pool with the physiotherapists and I’ve now been swimming independently for a year.
“I still use crutches, I still have a broken right hip and a fused left ankle and I’m waiting for a hip replacement.”
Janette says she decided to take on Key 103’s Cash for Kids 1,000 Faces challenge having supported the station’s previous fundraising drives in the past.
“When I was in hospital I wasn’t able to help, I couldn’t go out and buy toys for Mission Christmas, so when I heard about this on the radio I knew I wanted to do something.
“I decided to set myself a swimming challenge, it wasn’t completely selfless because I benefit too as it helps with my recovery by strengthening my hip muscles ready for a replacement, all while raising money for Cash for Kids.
“The M60 idea was something that I came up with because it gives people an idea of how far I am swimming.
“You could say 60km and people wouldn’t know how far it was.
“The M60 was 58km and I thought it’s local, people know it and, yes, I can do it.
“My target for Cash for Kids is £100 but anything over that would be incredible. It’s an amazing cause.”
She will swim 58.1km over the next 15 weeks. To sponsor Janette visit www. cashforkidsgive.co.uk/ campaign/1000-faces-key/ fundraisers/janettesmith/.