Retired Bakewell teacher walking 1,000 miles for air ambulance as she recovers from cow attack injuries

A former teacher from Bakewell who suffered life-changing injuries when she was attacked by a herd of cows is aiming to walk 1,000 miles this year to raise funds for the emergency service which came to her rescue.
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Pip Peacock, 63, was walking her Labrador Buster at Magpie Mine near Sheldon when the incident happened in September 2019.

She said: “The first thing I recall is one cow coming for me. Then I was lying on the ground and was kicked and rolled over several times.

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“I tried to shout for help but had no voice. I put my hands over my head and recited Psalm 23 – ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.’ I felt very peaceful as my faith means I am not afraid of death.”

Pip Peacock was saved by the Derbyshire Air Ambulance after she suffered life-threatening injuries in a cow attack.Pip Peacock was saved by the Derbyshire Air Ambulance after she suffered life-threatening injuries in a cow attack.
Pip Peacock was saved by the Derbyshire Air Ambulance after she suffered life-threatening injuries in a cow attack.

Buster was killed in the attack but Pip’s life was saved first by passers-by who chased the cows off, and then by the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance, which rushed her to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield in ten minutes.

She said: “My injuries were so serious I probably would not have survived if I had gone in a land ambulance.

“The policeman who went to tell my husband what had happened said I may not live.”

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Her injuries included 34 breaks in her ribs, a broken collar bone, broken shoulder ligaments, and a broken finger, as well as serious wounds to her left leg and right knee.

Pip at the 100 mile point on her epic walking challenge.Pip at the 100 mile point on her epic walking challenge.
Pip at the 100 mile point on her epic walking challenge.

Surgeons had to use 17 titanium plates to repair her rib cage and after eight days in an induced coma and another two weeks in hospital she was well enough to go home.

As part of her recovery, Pip has spent more time walking and decided to set herself a challenge at the start of 2021. She has already completed 200 miles and raised more than £1,400.

She said: “I thought it would be a great idea to use it to raise money for the air ambulance so something good comes out of what happened.”

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Pip also wants to raise awareness of the potential dangers of walking near cows, especially with dogs.

She said: “I think it was just an unfortunate event. Buster was used to walking in fields of cows and was on a very short lead.

“I don’t remember dropping it or him running away from me. He was very placid and loved by everyone.”

To add to Pip’s fundraising, go to https://bit.ly/3qOOWGs.

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