In February 2011, then Brigstock resident,
Kathryn Clarke, had a serious road traffic
accident, causing her non-life sustainable
brain and neck injuries. She was airlifted to
Walsgrave University Hospital, Coventry,
put in an induced coma, expected to be left
quadriplegic, with locked-in syndrome and
unable to breathe by herself. Kathryn had
a metal plate put into her neck, holding her
skull onto her spine. Four months later, she
was transferred to Royal Leamington Spa
Rehabilitation Hospital where she continued
her rehab for eleven months.

Kathryn’s and her husband, Nic, ran their
own company ‘Against the Grain’. Their two
children were very young at the time, and
they learnt the hard way that life can change
in a split second. In the weeks and months
after the accident they struggled to find out
information on what they, as a family, were
entitled to in terms of benefits, emotional and
financial support. With no insurance pay out
and in order to raise awareness and funds
for therapy for Kathryn and others in similar
positions, they have set up the Kathryn Clarke
Foundation.

Kathryn has defied all medical odds and
is learning to do basic day-to-day things
everyone takes for granted. She currently
needs a wheelchair for mobility though her
long term goal is to walk again and she is
doing everything in her power to make this a
reality. Kathryn’s positive outlook and dogged
determination have earned her interviews with
several magazines and were instrumental in
winning her the Venus Award earlier this year.
She is writing a book about her experience and
is currently busy making a calendar for 2018 to
raise funds for her foundation.

One of the many friends who have supported
Kathryn and her family throughout their ordeal is
Christine Porter, who plans to climb a mountain
in aid of Kathryn’s foundation. On Saturday 3rd
December, Christine will climb Kinder Scout,
the tallest peak in the Peak District, which is
where she was on holiday when she learnt
about Kathryn’s tragic accident. Christine is
not a keep-fit fanatic and the eight-hour climb
will be a challenge – a metaphorical one of that
Kathryn faces every single day. The money
raised will go towards Kathryn’s private physio
and hydrotherapy treatments required to get
her back to walking.

If you would like to sponsor Christine in her
challenge, please visit Kathryn’s website for
further details. You can also follow and support
Kathryn directly via her Facebook page and
website, linked to a PayPal account.

Kathryn Clarke Foundation