Sprinter Ethan Hussey goes the extra mile to help medical pros in #75miles challenge for Day One Trauma Support

Ethan Hussey, an 18-year-old sprinter from Leeds, has raced to Littleborough as part of the final stretch in a 75-mile challenge for the Day One Trauma Support charity.

Families, friends and Day One volunteers met the team at the finish line in Littleborough, which is situated halfway between the charity’s original home in Leeds, and Aintree major trauma centre; the first to offer Day One’s services for their patients.

Participants comprised 30 medics from the two hospitals who collectively ran, walked and cycled the 75-mile distance – the distance between Leeds and Aintree – for the cause.

Day One was founded in Leeds by orthopaedic surgeon Professor Peter Giannoudis in 2014 and exists to support people with major physical injuries to recover emotionally and financially, as well as physically, so that they can rebuild their lives after leaving hospital.

 

 

Hussey joined Professor Giannoudis – who helped him recover from a sporting injury just last year – for the final four mile stretch, in an effort to raise more support for trauma patients in the aftermath of their accidents. 

The money raised will help Day One, which recently became a national charity, to eventually work with all 27 major trauma centres across England ensuring that no one is left to recover from life-changing injuries alone.

Professor Peter Giannoudis, trauma surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Day One Founder said: “This is a moment of celebration for these two major trauma centres. We are very good at saving lives, but we want much more for our patients.”

Simon Scott, clinical director for major trauma at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s exciting to be at the point of signing on the dotted line to become the second ever Major Trauma Centre to be working with Day One and making their support available to our patients.

“When I think about what this means for patients, two individuals come to mind, who came to Aintree MTC after motorcycling accidents. One was paralysed from the neck down, and the other had significant limb injuries. In both cases they were in hospital with us, far away from their wives and families, and we couldn’t offer them anywhere to stay during this difficult and anxious time. Now, thanks to Day One, we’ll be able to offer others like them somewhere to stay and any other support they need.”

Day One is the UK’s only national charity to support people affected by the entire breadth of conditions relating to major traumatic injury. The charity offers a range of support, including emergency funding for accommodation for families needing to be close to their loved on in the aftermath of an incident, as well as longer-term funding to help survivors adapt their housing or purchase equipment.

Legal expertise is offered via Day One’s pro bono partners, as well as access to counselling, advice with welfare benefits, and befriending from its dedicated team of volunteer peer supporters. Patients are matched in person or by telephone with peer supporters who have had similar accidents or injuries and can listen to their anxieties, empathise and share their own experience of recovery.

To donate to Day One or find out more about the charity’s work, visit dayonetrauma.org.