Ricky runs for cancer
An Ellesmere man who thought he might never walk again after a car accident will line up to run the London Marathon later this month.
Ricky Roberts from Ellesmere was thrown out of a car which landed on top of his leg trapping him.
The accident 24 years ago, when he was just 20, left his leg so badly smashed there were fears it would have to be amputated.
But he regained his health to go on to enjoy several sports.
"I used to run when I was younger then work got in the way. I started a gardening business, Daisy Cutters up in 2003, hoping it would give me more time to run but I have just been so busy."
In fact it was his partner, Lou, who got him back into running when she began the Mere Runners couch to 5k beginners programme in the town a couple of years ago.
"I joined up soon afterwards and haven't looked back," Ricky said.
It will be his first marathon and he is raising funds for the Children with Cancer charity.
"As a father myself I can not imagine what it is like as a parter to be told your child has cancer.
"I have seen the effect that cancer has both on adults and teenagers and also their families, it is horrendous."
Anyone who wants to help Ricky with his fundraising can do so on uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=RickyRobert
He said he would always be grateful for his health particularly after his accident.
"I was in the back seat of my friend's car. We didn't wear seatbelts in those days and when the car left the road I was thrown out of the back window. The car landed on my right leg upside down in the field. All I can remember was myself and another guy, who was stuck in the car, being dragged out by the others and a friend who had stopped on a motorbike to help us, because the engine was still running and petrol was pouring out of it."
