Jackie fights back after van collision to take on half marathon
A woman in her 60s has taken on a half marathon after recovering from being hit by a van.
Jackie Hawkins, from Stafford, was due to take on two 13.1 mile challenges to raise money for Alzheimer's Society before her accident.
And now she has now conquered a half marathon six months on and has her sights set on another.
She said: "I was going to do two half marathons within eight weeks of each other in March this year, and the night before, my husband Steve and I went for a walk around the block.
"I got hit by a delivery van who took the corner on the wrong side of the road.
"I was taken to hospital and for two weeks after I couldn't lie down straight in bed because of the pain.
"But I'm extremely grateful – I'm just so glad to be here, really."
The 62-year-old is back running and has conquered Cheshire Half Marathon – with her eyes now set on taking on the Tatton Park Half Marathon on November 3.
And her path to exercise started when she turned 60, with her three sons – Matthew, Andrew and Christian – playing a vital part.
"I wasn't fit – I was overweight and my boys decided to get me a bike," the mother-of-three said.
"And then I did more exercise and did some running, which is how it started."
Since then, she has started to run for the charity and is determined to raise £500 – having raised more than £200 so far.
She said: "It did take a long time to get fully recovered.
"And I'm running for the Alzheimer's Society because my mother was diagnosed with dementia about a year or so ago.
"So that's the reason behind it and I had to basically start again and take it easy.
"My three sons have all been really helpful."
To donate, visit Virgin Giving and search for 'Jackie Hawkins'
