Brave police officer battles back to help hospital
A Staffordshire police officer who was run over by a drug-dealer breaking both her legs has raised £1,500 for equipment for the hospital where she was treated.
PC Claire Bond’s life was turned upside down in September 2018 when she tried to stop disqualified driver Gurajdeep Malhi from driving into runners taking part in the Stafford 10K while she was on duty.
She broke both of her legs and has not yet been able to return to frontline duties.
Along with her family, friends and colleagues, Claire has been fundraising over the last two years – raising £1,800 for COPS – Care of Police Survivors. But recently, she turned her attention to raising funds for ward 226 at Stoke Hospital. With help from others, she raised £1,500 – which has paid for 16 foot stools and a box of plaster cutting equipment.
Claire said: "The sad thing is when I was in hospital I was only there for nine days and I just wanted to go home and be with my family. I had family to help me. Some people could be in hospital for some time and those items that are just basic not just not available.
"In my ideal world I would love to raise thousands and thousands. They [hospital staff] took care of me – every member of staff there from the surgeon who patched me up, to the cleaning staff, they all had time to talk to you.
"It is a way of saying thank you, particularly for saving my legs and for any future people who find themselves in that situation. I have been allowed a really good recovery because I was given a good start by the hospital.
"At Christmas last year, my kids' swimming club, we bought the ward an ice making machine. We spoke to the hospital and the senior nurse said about us doing a joint venture, it is in the pipeline. A walk up Snowdon maybe, which would be quite a good one for me because of the walking.
"I think really I have found such positive stuff that I have got from this whole experience after the events of 2018 I have met some amazing people. People have written to me from all over the country, people I would have never met or come across who have taken an interest – it is a really nice feeling that people are proud of you and what you are doing."
Claire is hoping to return to Staffordshire Police in the spring, having been offered a position in training.
Sergeant John Rainsbury, Claire’s long-time friend and colleague, who has helped with her fundraising, said: “After completing the Stafford 10K in aid of COPS, Claire was really keen, as well as us and her family, to raise money for others. While she was in hospital, they were having to share ice packs and drip stands.
“They are really basic things for anyone in hospital. At Stoke Hospital, they have to fundraise every year for themselves, to buy equipment.
“We raised £1,500 in total. £500 came from a raffle organised by property officer at Cannock Police station, Zoe Smith, while £1,000 was raised from Claire’s family and officers from Cannock police station taking part in a tough mudder type challenge.
“When the nurses opened up the packages it was like seeing children at Christmas. They were so chuffed, but they shouldn’t be in that situation.”
He added: “It is good for people to see how Claire has progressed since the accident. Anyone in a situation where they were or have been badly injured can see from a physical point of view how she has progressed – she’s not walking with a stick and is still having physio.
“Staffordshire Police have found her a job in training – it is unknown if she will be fit enough to return as a frontline police officer.
“She is so positive about it all. She is drawing positives from everything that has happened. I keep telling her to think about herself, but she won’t, that’s just how she is.”
