Lexie’s run to thank medics who saved her
AMUM was given no guarantees that her young daughter would survive brain surgery after she was involved in a car crash.
Lexie Dwyer, nine, from Widnes, was involved in an accident in 2019 and the trauma left her needing an operation.
That operation came with certain risk and led to her mother Lois having to sign a form to acknowledge that Lexie might not survive.
After surgery, Lexie still had challenges ahead and she had to learn to walk again with the aid of daily physio sessions and crutches.
She is now thriving once again and experiences no lasting complications of her ordeal and medical trauma.
This month, on Saturday, October 30, Lexie will join around 600 other runners to complete a 5k course in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Charity to thank the medics who saved her, in particular consultant neurosurgeon Jonathan Ellenbogan.
Her efforts have already raised £290 towards her target of £500 at time of writing, all in aid of helping other patients and to thank the medics and staff who saved her life.
The event’s venue, Southport Pleasureland, which picked Alder Hey as its charity of the year and opened what it said was the world’s first children’s charity embassy during the summer, will be bedecked with pumpkins for the Hallowe’en season.
Lexie said: “In 2019 I suffered a brain haemorrhage from a road traffic accident.
“My mummy was told to sign a form that said I might not make it past surgery.
“But I did and I’m going to run 5k for the hospital that saved my life.
“My amazing surgeon, and everyone else who looked after me, were amazed to see what a normal life I lead now.
“That is quite rare after the trauma my brain went through.
“That also shows that Jonathan, my surgeon, really is the best.
“People had to ask me simple questions for days to see if I could remember, I had to have physio daily to try to walk with crutches.
“Now, you would never believe I was that same person, as I lead a completely normal life with no health complications.
“This is my first big fundraising for Alder Hey, so please donate anything you can, to keep saving little people like me.”
Norman Wallis, Pleasureland chief executive, said he was delighted to host the run’s start and finish as part of the “park’s commitment to help the charity support a unique, world-class and familyfocused centre of excellence”.
He said: “Stories like Lexie’s are absolutely inspiring, and here is a little girl absolutely determined to say thank you in the most generous way possible.
“I would urge everyone who possibly can to take part or find a way to support this incredible event.”
The Alder Hey Children’s Charity Hallowe’en 5K starts at 9am, with a goal of raising £20,000 for the hospital, which looks after 330,000 young patients and families each year.
Nearly 400 runners have signed up to take part.
You can donate to Lexie’s fundraiser at alderheycharity.enthuse. com/pf/lois-hart. Register to take part at alderheycharity.org