BY TOBY PORTER
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A burns survivor ran the London Landmarks half marathon at the weekend and has raised almost £3,000 so far for the burns unit which saved her skin.
Dancer Abbie Quinnen powered through 13 miles for the second year running in one hour, 49 minutes and 41 seconds to raise vital funds for CW+, the charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The half marathon took place on Sunday and Abbie chose to support the burns unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where she was cared for after a serious accident last year.
Abbie spent nearly a week in the hospital, where she endured skin grafts, several operations and laser sessions.
During her recovery, Abbie also took part in some therapy sessions to deal with the psychological trauma of the accident and encouraged boyfriend, professional dancer AJ Pritchard, to do the same.
Abbie and her boyfriend, Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard, were copying an online video, setting fire to a rope dipped in a flammable solution to make a vase out of a wine glass.
But when they copied it at their Wimbledon home, the flames rapidly spread out of control, setting fire to her hair and clothes – she suffered second and three-degree burns.
Abbie has decided to take part in the race and fundraise for a second year running to not only show her huge appreciation to the burns unit and the treatment she received.
Abbie said: “The care I received at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, both physical and mental, was incredible and I am so grateful for what the burn’s unit did for me.
“I want to show young people that there is light at the end of the tunnel even when it doesn’t feel like it and I won’t let my accident stop me doing what I love.”
Kerry Huntington, fundraising director at CW+, said: “After the difficult ordeal Abbie went through last year, her journey has been tough, and she remains a true inspiration to us all.
“We are incredibly grateful to Abbie for taking on this challenge and we are delighted to have her support once again. We’re wishing AJ, Curtis and Abbie all the luck for race day and look forward to celebrating their achievement!”
Isabel Jones, consultant burns and plastic surgery, Departmental Lead for Plastic Surgery at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so very grateful to Abbie for her support, and we are proud that we could care and provide treatment for her through such a difficult time.
“I would like to say a special thank you to Abbie, AJ and Curtis for participating in the London Landmarks half marathon for us once again. They are set to raise a fantastic amount of money for our burns unit, which will make a real impact, helping fund vital burns research and treatment.”
To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/abbie-quinnen