A Tamworth couple’s traumatic experience with brain injury has led to an inspirational story of fundraising challenges.
Holly Kelly (32) and Colin McAuley (50) are fighting back, with support from celebrity sports stars, including Sir Mo Farrah and Becky Adlington as well as the Bannatyne health club in Tamworth.
Colin had an accident in 2018 that led to him spending time in intensive care at the city’s Queens Medical Centre. Months of more rehabilitation followed until eventually he was allowed home to continue the long road to recovery.
To ensure that the Intensive Care Unit could continue its amazing work, Holly has embarked on a series of incredible challenges with the aim of raising £10,000. These challenges have ranged from a remarkable 80ft abseil from the highest point of the Queens Medical Centre, to learning how to swim in order to partake in a number of triathlons.
Regarding her journey so far, Holly said: “So many people have helped us along the way and supported us, and I am amazed! From the first fun run, to running 50 miles in the week Col turned 50 and the London Marathon, to a middle-distance triathlon. I now have my sights set on an Ironman.”
Holly continued: “I never dreamt when he was in intensive care all those weeks that we would both be at the gym training together and I would be taking Colin’s place in triathlons. I completed the Cotswold 113 Middle Distance Triathlon recently, which was a huge thing to undertake and it was so hard, but I wasn’t ever going to give up. I can now officially call myself a triathlete.”
Triathlon isn’t only the scene for many of Holly’s fundraising attempts. The sport also facilitates Colin’s recovery. Working at the Bannatyne Health Club in Tamworth, Colin uses the bike at the gym to regain strength as well as taking a swimming lesson with Olympic gold-medallist Rebecca Adlington, organised by the general manager at Bannatyne Tamworth, Mark Reynolds.
Mark said: “Holly and Colin are an inspiration to us all. From the greatest adversity, Colin is fighting to regain his strength and Holly is pushing herself to the limits to raise money for the medical people who helped Colin.”
“I’m proud that we can play a small part in their journey.”
You can donate to Holly and Colin’s JustGiving page by clicking below:
