A kind-hearted Occupational Therapist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham has conquered America’s New York marathon to raise money for the hospital that saved the life of her patient – and now friend – Tunisia terror attack victim, Alison Heathcote. Isobel Deeley, a 27 year old from Sutton Coldfield has worked as an occupational therapist at QEHB for three years. During that time she has met thousands of inspiring patients who have made great progress in the face of adversity, and this was never more true than in the case of Alison Heathcote, one of many victims of the June 2015 Tunisia mass killing.
Isobel said: “I decided to do something I’ve never done before and compete in the New York marathon to raise money for QEHB Charity, not only because I work at the hospital it supports, but because of a fantastic, strong-willed woman I met through work.”
Alison was severely injured in the Tunisia terror attacks. She was shot five times whilst on holiday with her husband, who was also shot and tragically died, as they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.
Alison was rushed to QEHB where she endured hours of surgery. She received gun shots to her shoulder, three to her torso and two to her right arm, which caused her bones to shatter into 18 pieces.
Isobel said: “Alison underwent hours of intense therapy, and I was one of the team of professionals who treated her.”
It wasn’t long before the pair struck up a strong friendship, with Isobel commenting: “Alison is an amazing woman who went through unbelievable trauma. She is a true inspiration, moving on in her life in positive way, despite facing such unthinkable tragedy.”
So inspired by Alison’s journey, Isobel decided to compete in the New York marathon and has raised hundreds of pounds in support of other patients like Alison, as they undergo occupational therapy at QEHB and begin to rebuild their lives.
Isobel said: “Alison supports the hospital and the charity, and was behind me all the way throughout my training.”
Alison added: “The whole hospital was amazing and I can’t thank everyone who was involved in saving my life enough. Isobel was part of the fantastic therapy team who supported me throughout my rehabilitation and it is so wonderful that she wants to give back to the hospital and the charity that helped me to rebuild my life.”
Mike Hammond, Chief Executive at QEHB Charity, said: “Staff at QEHB really are exceptional and constantly go over and above for their patients. It’s always fantastic to hear when someone has been inspired to raise money for the Charity. It’s brilliant to see how far Alison has come since that tragic day that saw so many lives lost, and I’d like to thank both Isobel and Alison for their fantastic and truly valued support of the Charity.”