Major trauma survivors join TV presenter JJ Chalmers in charity appeal for people with life-changing injuries
A group of major trauma survivors have teamed up with TV presenter JJ Chalmers in a BBC Lifeline charity appeal to help people with life-changing injuries.
Day One Trauma Support’s BBC Lifeline Appeal was shown on BBC One on Sunday (27 April) and will be repeated on BBC Two on Thursday 1 May at 12.50pm. The nine-minute short film is presented by former Royal Marine Commando and Strictly Come Dancing contestant JJ Chalmers who suffered life-changing injuries following an IED explosion in Afghanistan, aged just 23.
JJ will introduce viewers to three stories that feature people who have overcome their own catastrophic injuries thanks to help from the charity Day One Trauma Support.
They include Paul Price, 57, of Liverpool, who was injured in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017; Lucie Maguire, 23, of Kirkby Malzeard, North Yorkshire, who spent 18 months in hospital after being run over by a tractor; and LilyMae West, nine, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, who broke 15 bones in her skull in a zorbing accident.
[Full stories below.]
Day One was founded a decade ago by a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon in Leeds and has recently moved into new offices at Joseph’s Well on Hanover Lane, Leeds. Since 2021 it has been helping people affected by major trauma across the UK thanks to donations from businesses and individuals across the region. Last year it supported more than 2,200 people through its national online and phoneline service, and bedside support in seven Major Trauma Centres where the charity employs caseworkers. It also provides outreach workers to support people in smaller hospitals and the community.
As well as practical and emotional support, last year the charity gave out more than £160,000 in small grants to help people with the immediate costs such as accommodation so loved ones can remain nearby, or replacement of clothes. The charity also has a growing community of Peer Support Volunteers who use their lived experience of major trauma to help others, and inform research and policy to achieve better care and rehabilitation for future trauma survivors.
Day One’s BBC Lifeline Appeal is the first time the charity’s work has been shown on national TV, where it hopes it will inspire people to donate so it can help even more people in the future. The appeal will be shown on BBC Two at 12.50pm on Thursday 1 May, and is available to watch via the BBC website and iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk/lifeline
Lucie Maguire
Lucie’s injuries were so severe that doctors compared them to those seen on bomb blast victims. She was 19 when she was run over by a tractor and spent 18 months in hospital recovering from multiple, serious traumatic injuries, including amputation of her right leg. Lucie and her family were supported by a Day One Caseworker during her whole time in a major trauma hospital. It meant they had someone to confide in and provide crucial emotional support during the many down days of recovery, but also to offer practical advice around accessing benefits and adapting to life as a young disabled woman. Lucie is still on her recovery journey and faces further surgeries. But each time she’s back in hospital she knows she has Day One by her side. Full story here.
Lily-Mae West
Lily-Mae was just seven years old when she broke 15 bones in her skull and suffered a brain injury after being knocked to the floor in a freak zorbing accident while on holiday. Lily-Mae and her family were supported by Day One throughout her recovery. But it was while mum Katie was at home with Lily-Mae that she found Day One’s ongoing support crucial. The charity provided much-needed emotional support as well as help with practical things such as navigating a complicated new world of medical appointments. Over the past year the charity has helped Lily-Mae turn her traumatic experience into a positive through inspirational fundraising activities, a therapeutic writing campaign and meeting other survivors at national events. Full story here.
Paul Price
Paul was left with catastrophic, life-changing injuries during the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. His partner Elaine, who had been stood beside him in the foyer as they waited to collect his daughter from the Ariana Grande concert, died at the scene. Paul spent nine months in hospital, and many more recovering at home, where he felt alone and isolated. Years later Paul discovered Day One and spoke to a Peer Support Volunteer who had lived experience of major trauma. It transformed Paul’s life. So much so, that he is now a volunteer for the charity himself – helping ensure others like him don’t have to rebuild their life on their own after catastrophic injury. Full story here.
JJ Chalmers, 38, of Fife, Scotland, said: “It’s an honour to get behind Day One Trauma Support’s Lifeline Appeal. For those who experience major traumatic injuries, it can seem like their whole world has changed forever, leaving them feeling not only pain, but alone as well. A feeling I know only too well, when I suffered life-changing injuries from an explosion when serving in the Royal Marines. I was only 23 at the time, and all these years later I am still affected by both the physical and psychological impact of what happened to me.
“The ripple effect is massive too, with family, friends and colleagues all impacted. And the sad truth is thousands of people aren’t getting the support they need to help rebuild their lives again. That’s why I’m passionate about Day One. Thanks to your generosity, we can ensure no one is left to cope on their own.”
Kirsty Christmas, Head of Public Fundraising at Day One Trauma Support, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to JJ and all our volunteers for taking the time to share their stories so powerfully as part of our first ever TV appeal. We hope their stories will give others hope for the future and inspire people to donate so that we can help even more people rebuild their lives after catastrophic injury.”
Lucie Maguire, of Kirkby Malzeard, North Yorkshire, said: “I do feel like Day One Trauma Support saved my life, they were amazing. They were one of my constants, providing that emotional support that the busy NHS staff just don’t have the time to give. My recovery journey continues and I’ve been back in hospital with more surgeries, but the support from Day One has continued to be there. I’m so pleased to share my story and support their Lifeline appeal as I believe passionately that everyone should get the same support I did, wherever they are in the country.”
Katie West, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: “We loved being part of the Lifeline Appeal and telling our story. Day One Trauma Support are like our family now and we will forever be grateful. If you can, please donate anything to help such an amazing charity as you never know what’s around the corner – it could be you and your family that need that support one day.”
Paul Price, of Woolton, Liverpool, said: “Day One Trauma Support holds a special place in my heart because it gave me the support and hope I needed to rebuild my life. Sharing this nationally is crucial to reach others who feel alone in their struggles, showing them that recovery is possible and inspiring them to take that first step.”
