NHS worker, who became a patient in her own hospital after being hit by a taxi, launches charity Christmas appeal as demand for its services increases by 40%

An NHS worker who ended up as a patient on the very trauma ward she worked after being hit by a taxi, is backing a charity’s Christmas Appeal to help other major trauma survivors.

Chloe Boobier, 30, from Acton, London, suffered catastrophic injuries, including a broken spine, pelvis and shoulder, when she was hit by a black cab as she crossed London Road outside Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on 23 February 2021.

Chloe woke up hours later on Royal Berkshire Hospital’s trauma and orthopaedic ward, where she worked as a physiotherapist, but this time as a patient being treated by her colleagues.

Chloe, who was 25 at the time, spent weeks in hospital recovering before moving back in with her mum Michelle in Bristol. Chloe left hospital needing to use a wheelchair and her mum became her carer for several months as she had to help Chloe move, wash and cut up her food.

Chloe and Michelle said they were scared and worried about their future as they feared Chloe may never live independently again.

Thankfully, due to Chloe’s job within major trauma, she was aware of charity Day One Trauma Support, who were able to provide the family with practical and emotional support to navigate their recovery.

Now, four years on, Chloe is back walking and working as a physiotherapist within the Amputee Rehab Clinic at Charing Cross Hospital, on Fulham Palace Road, London. She regularly sees the difference the charity makes to her patients who have survived major traumatic injuries.

That’s why today (Monday 24 November) Chloe is sharing her story for the first time to launch Day One Trauma Support’s Christmas Appeal. Her story is the focus of the charity’s appeal video, which also includes some of her current amputee patients based at Charing Cross Hospital.

The charity hopes to raise at least £30,000 to ensure people aren’t left to cope on their own this Christmas after suffering life-changing injuries. The charity, which supported 2,400 people in total last year, has seen a 40% increase in demand for some of its services.

Latest figures show that so far this year (January – September 2025) the charity has given out £141,889 in grant funding to support people with essential costs such as travel, accommodation and specialist equipment. This money is a lifeline for many people as they struggle with the added financial burden placed on them when a loved one is injured. This is a 40% increase from the £100,906 they gave out during the same period last year. The number of people Day One is helping has shot up too by 18% from 1,548 people in 2024 to 1,828 people in 2025 (between January and September).

Day One provides practical, emotional and financial support to seriously injured people through its national support line and caseworkers based in some Major Trauma Centres. It also has a UK-wide network of Peer Support Volunteers who are further along their recovery journey.

To support Chloe and watch her video visit www.dayonetrauma.org/christmas

Chloe Boobier, 30, of Acton, London, said: “I was walking home from work and on the phone to my mum when I was hit by a taxi. I don’t remember too much, just waking up on the trauma orthopaedic ward, the very ward I worked on, surrounded by colleagues who were now helping me with everything, from moving to personal care. It was surreal, but also a blessing during a time when visitors weren’t allowed due to Covid restrictions.

“Being out of hospital but not back to normal life was one of the scariest times. Doctors warned I might always need an aid to walk and might never return to the job I loved. Mum was great and helped me with everything. We went into survival mode as helped my move, wash and cut up my food. It was hard being dependent on her again as an adult.

“I’d heard of Day One and had been recommending them to my patients, but after my accident I experienced their support firsthand. They offered kindness, compassion, and practical help when we needed it most.

“I know many people leave hospital with life-changing injuries and no support system. That’s where Day One really makes a difference, giving people guidance, connection, and someone who understands what that early stage of recovery feels like.

“I’m proud to support Day One’s Christmas Appeal to ensure other people like me get the support they need following catastrophic injuries. I would encourage anyone to donate and share my story so we can help more people access that same support I got.”

Jen Murgatroyd, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Day One Trauma Support, said: “We’re so grateful to Chloe and her family for sharing their story with us. A powerful reminder that major trauma can happen to anyone, even those working within trauma care. With trauma wards especially busy at Christmas and demand for our support up by 40%, more people impacted by life-changing injuries need our help. If you’re able to donate to our Christmas Appeal, you’ll ensure they get the specialist support they urgently need.”