Brave Chesterfield teenager raises £8,000 to thank emergency crew for saving her life

Jael Rowles was being driven by her uncle when a vehicle collided with their car. She was knocked unconscious and suffered serious head injuries.

A critical care crew from the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance gave Jael emergency treatment at the scene and accompanied her in a land ambulance to hospital.

Miraculously, just 15 months later the 17-year-old from Old Brampton, Chesterfield, has recovered enough to cycle 10km, run 2.5km and swim 400m to complete her fundraising triathlon.

She said: “I wanted to thank the air ambulance by raising enough money for at least one mission to help other people who might find themselves in a frightening emergency like I did. The fact I was able to raise enough money to pay for nearly five missions is amazing.”

It is testament to Jael’s determination that she completed her triathlon during the Covid-19 pandemic – which meant it had to be delayed several times.

Training for the triathlon helped her rehabilitation. Her dad Adrian said: “The physical challenge was not easy for her and she had to train hard, but it gave her something to aim for.”

After the accident Jael was taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where she was in intensive care for two weeks and the neurological ward for three months. She underwent a rehabilit ation programme in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and neuropsychology.

The teenager returned home in November and five months later was able to take part in online lessons organised by her school. She went back to the classroom with a support worker in September but since the third lockdown has resumed learning at home.

Jael said: “I would like to thank again the air ambulance for acting the way they did on that day. I think their helicopter enthused me on as it always seemed to fly over our heads when we were training. I am thankful to all the people who donated to this worthy cause.”

To support the frontline service visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk