'I endured catastrophic injuries when I was hit by a taxi in Leeds and now I'm running Athens marathon'

Adam Shaw, 36, from Gildersome, is one of two former Leeds hospital patients joining their inspirational surgeon Prof Peter Giannoudis in Athens on Sunday (November 9)to raise money for people with life-changing injuries.

Adam joins Nick Cousins, 62, from of Pickering, North Yorkshire, who feared he would never run again when he had four major operations by Prof Giannoudis in 2008 for serious infections in the bones of his pelvis.

Dad-of-two Adam had two serious breaks in his leg after being hit by a taxi as he crossed Park Row, in Leeds, at the end of a night out with his wife Becky, and friends, on December 8, 2024. He spent two weeks on the trauma ward in Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) being fixed by Prof Giannoudis and his colleagues, followed by months of rehabilitation at home and in the gym.

Coincidently, Adam, a self-employed electrician, already knew Prof Giannoudis and his family before his accident as he’d carried out electrical work for them at their homes. Prof Giannoudis’ children Marilena Giannoudi, 33, and Vasilis Giannoudis, 32, who also both work at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT), are part of the eight-strong team heading to Athens.

Adam Shaw said: “Before my accident I had spent a lot of time running to get fit and lose weight, but that all ended overnight when I broke my leg. I’m a positive person and was determined I would run again and give back to those who are there to support people like me. I feel lucky that my injury was a clean break and I’m back running within a year – lots of people aren’t so fortunate and that is why Day One is so important to help them and their families.

“Prof Giannoudis and his family have become my extended Greek family – they are amazing people and I feel fortunate to know them. It’s a privilege to be running with Peter and to have this chance as he’s an inspiration to me and so many others who he has helped. I’m looking forward to the challenge in Athens and supporting this wonderful charity.”

Nick, who works as a joiner, feared he would never run again when he had four major operations by Prof Giannoudis in 2008 for septic sacroiliitis, osteomyelitis and sepsis.

He spent 11 weeks in LGI, and many more months recovering at home, but has gone on to run again with Pickering Running Club and each year organises the Lockton Limping Fell Race.

Nick Cousins, 62, said: "When I had my injury it was a very traumatic time for me and my family while I was in hospital. I am forever grateful for the treatment which restored me to full health, to be able to work and run again.

"It is an absolute privilege and honour to be joining Prof Giannoudis and the Day One fundraising team for this iconic race. I'm so grateful for everything the medical team in Leeds did for me, but I know how important it is for people to get support and Day One is an amazing charity. This is a great opportunity to give back to people who did so much to help me, and I'm looking forward to flying out to Athens with the team."

The pair will be reunited with Prof Giannoudis as part of a fundraising team taking on the iconic 26.2 miles Athens Marathon on Sunday (9 November) to raise money for Day One Trauma Support, a charity set up by the surgeon. help people affected by major traumatic injuries. The charity now provides emotional, practical and financial support to around 2,500 people each year all over the UK.

To support the team visit justgiving.com/campaign/dayoneathens

Prof Giannoudis, 64, of Shadwell, has fundraised for Day One many times by taking on the marathon in his native country after a promising running career was cut short when he was younger. He was part of the Greek Olympic marathon team ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 but had to withdraw because he ruptured his Achilles tendon. His injury meant he had to give up competing, instead focusing on medicine and moving to the UK, where he has become a world-renowned trauma and orthopaedic surgeon - receiving an MBE in the New Year Honours in January 2024.

Prof Giannoudis said: “For more than 30 years I have worked as an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, I have carried out thousands of operations and I continue to do so as unfortunately accidents happen daily in our lives.

“The problem is when someone suffers a life-changing injury, the impact on them and their family is enormous. In the briefest of moments, that person’s life is shattered. And often it is too much for them to piece it back together on their own.

“Fortunately, thanks to the amazing work of Day One Trauma Support, when someone is piecing their life back together, the charity is there for them. From day one, and for as long as it takes. That is why I am determined to raiseas much money as I possibly can for this wonderful charity by taking on one of the toughest running challenges there is.

“I am grateful for the whole team running for this great cause and would like to personally express my appreciation to Valia, Karolina, Nick, Adam, Nikos, and my children Marilena and Vasilis for their dedication to increase the awareness of the impact of major trauma to patients and their families and to fundraise for Day One.”

Zoe Cooper, fundraising assistant at Day One Trauma Support, said: "We're so grateful to Prof Giannoudis and the whole team for taking on this iconic event to raise money for Day One. Their support means we can be there for even more people who have experienced life-changing injuries so they don't have to cope on their own."

Adam, Nick, Prof Giannoudis, Vasilis and Marilena will be joined on the start line by friends Valia Kanakari, Nikos Vlassiadis and Karolina Nowicka as they hope to raise £10,000.