An inspirational young woman who lost her right leg and part of her pelvis after being run over by a tractor will take on Whitby's iconic 199 steps to raise money for people with life-changing injuries.
Lucie Maguire, from Kirkby Malzeard near Ripon, was just 19 when she was struck by a tractor and dragged beneath its 10-tonne trailer on a North Yorkshire road in January 2021.
She feared she would die. Her injuries, likened by medics to those suffered by bomb-blast victims, included the amputation of her right leg and pelvis, a broken back and severe internal damage.
Lucie spent 518 days in hospital, much of that time on the major trauma ward at Leeds General Infirmary, where specialist teams helped rebuild her strength and mobility. Over the past three years she has continued her recovery through further surgery and specialist rehabilitation.
Now 24, Lucie will mark the fifth anniversary of her accident on Tuesday (27th January) by ‘hopping’ to the top of Whitby’s Grade I listed 199 steps, climbing on one leg without the use of her wheelchair.
The challenge, named ‘From trauma to triumph: Lucie’s hop to the top’, will be her first significant distance without a wheelchair since the accident.
Lucie said:
“Raising funds and awareness for Day One Trauma Support is my priority, but I'm also doing this for me. I want to prove to myself that I have come a long way.
"I never thought I'd be in a position where I could take something like this on. But I'm still here, I'm still fighting and I'm changing the narrative so the 27th January becomes the date I climbed 199 steps rather than an awful day I nearly died.
“I do feel like Day One saved my life, they were amazing. They were one of my constants, providing that emotional support that the busy NHS staff just don't have the time to give.
"My recovery journey continues and I’ve been back in hospital with more surgeries, but the support from Day One has continued to be there. I believe passionately that everyone should get the same support I did, wherever they are in the country.”
The 50ft climb from the Old Town to St Mary’s Churchyard will see Lucie supported by family, friends and professionals involved in her recovery, including her physiotherapist Dr Katherine Taylor, who has worked with her for the past two years.
Lucie has also been training and sharing her progress on TikTok, attracting thousands of followers.
The challenge aims to raise funds for Day One Trauma Support, a charity that supported Lucie and her family throughout her recovery. The organisation provides emotional, practical and financial help to people affected by serious and life-changing injuries through hospital-based and national support services.
Kirsty Christmas, Head of Public Fundraising at Day One Trauma Support, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of Lucie and her continual recovery is testament to her strength and determination.
"We’re all rooting for Lucis as she takes onthis enormous challenge for Day One, and hope people feel inspired to donate so more people get the help they need following serious and life-changing injury.”
Dr Katherine Taylor said:
“Not only does Lucie have half the strength and power of someone with two legs, but her balance is thrown off, so she's reliant on her upper body to assist whilst her leg is working twice as hard and doing every single step up.
“Lucie is utterly inspiring. I'm blessed to have had the chance to be her physio this past couple of years. She's been through a lot of medical challenges, but continues to set herself new goals and, as with this challenge, uses her efforts to assist others.”
James Tomlinson, director of personal injury at Bond Turner, added:
“Lucie’s courage, determination and positivity in the face of truly devastating injuries has been extraordinary to witness. Having supported her and her family after the accident, I’ve seen first-hand the physical and emotional challenges she has overcome, and the strength it has taken to rebuild her life.
“This challenge is a powerful example of Lucie refusing to be defined by what happened to her and instead using her experience to help others facing life-changing serious injury. We’re incredibly proud of her and fully behind her efforts to raise awareness and funds for Day One Trauma Support, whose work makes a real difference to people when they need it most.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/page/lucie-maguire-1
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