Mum thanks doctors who saved her life

A mum-of-one whose life was turned upside down in a tragic accident two years ago has made a generous donation to a hospital charity in thanks for the life-saving care she received.
From left: Sandy Nevinson, Stephanie Nevinson, Andrew Duncan, Victoria Cash of Ulverston Traders Association and Chris NevinsonFrom left: Sandy Nevinson, Stephanie Nevinson, Andrew Duncan, Victoria Cash of Ulverston Traders Association and Chris Nevinson
From left: Sandy Nevinson, Stephanie Nevinson, Andrew Duncan, Victoria Cash of Ulverston Traders Association and Chris Nevinson

Sandy Nevinson was walking her dog with her cousin Jess Quayle near their homes in Ulverston, Cumbria, on July 7, 2014, when the pair were struck by a car.

The impact killed Jess, 19, and left Sandy, who was 25 and working as a beauty therapist at the time, with life-threatening injuries, some of which she is still recovering from.

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Sandy’s mum Stephanie said: “Sandy was airlifted to Preston and it really was touch and go – we needed to find a specialist who would be able to take care of her. We didn’t think anything could be done to save her.

“She had a lot of injuries, including an aortic transection, which is a tear in her heart, her pelvis was fractured at the front and at the back, and she had broken her femur.”

Cardiothoracic consultant Andrew Duncan, who works at the Lancashire Cardiac Centre based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, stepped in to perform Sandy’s life-saving heart surgery, and repairs were made to her leg while she was undergoing the operation.

Sandy, mother to Keiran, nine, was then transferred from Blackpool to Wigan where she underwent another operation to repair her pelvis.

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Her last operation was in September last year, and now Sandy is almost fully recovered and expecting a baby in July. Once the baby is born she will have one more operation to mend ligaments in her leg.

Stephanie, 48, said: “Both her dad, Chris, and I are so proud of how well she’s recovered. As well as her injuries, Sandy has had to deal with the loss of her cousin, with whom she was very close.

“If it wasn’t for Mr Duncan or the North West Air Ambulance, Sandy wouldn’t be here. We are so grateful to them for saving our daughter.”

Each year the community of Ulverston gathers for a charity fashion show, in aid of a local charity selected by the Traders’ Association.

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Following Sandy’s accident and recovery, the Association chose to raise money for the North West Air Ambulance and for the Heart of Gold Charitable Fund at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – a charity fund managed by Blue Skies Hospitals Fund which raises money to enhance patient care at the Lancashire Cardiac Centre.

The event raised a total of £4,747 which has been split between the two charities.

Stephanie said: “We’re all so thrilled that the event made so much money for these two causes; Sandy was over the moon. So many local businesses and individuals were involved in making it a success from donating prizes and taking part in the event itself.”

Mr Duncan, who received a cheque for £2,373.50 from Sandy and Victoria Cash, who put on the fashion show, said he was pleased to see Sandy recovering so well.

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Deputy head of fund-raising, Rebecca Ferguson, said: “We are extremely grateful to Sandy and her family, and the Ulverston Traders’ Association for their generosity.

“Their donation will make a big difference to our patients who are undergoing cardiac treatment at the Lancashire Cardiac Centre.”

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