A cyclist who was seriously injured after being knocked off her bike by a car will return to the saddle on Sunday (28 May) to complete a 100-mile fundraising challenge for Day One.

Karen Maddock-Jones, of Swansea, said her world was instantly ‘turned upside down’ when a car hit her while she was cycling a route through Swansea, South Wales, for British Cycling, where she is now a part-time volunteer coordinator.

Karen, then aged 57, broke her ribs, collarbone and shattered her pelvis in five places. She was treated by specialist trauma and orthopaedic staff at Morriston Hospital, in Swansea, who spent the next month mending her broken bones and putting her back together again.

Karen then spent the following three-and-a-half months in a wheelchair as she built up the strength to walk again. It then took her more than three years to fully recover, including having counselling for post-traumatic stress.

You can read Karen's story in full here.

On Sunday Karen will join thousands of cyclists in the Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 – a 100-mile ride on traffic-free roads through the heart of the city and neighbouring Essex.

She is raising money for Day One so we can help more people like her in the future.

In 2022 Karen and her partner Stuart cycled more than 900 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats, raising more than £1,400 for Day One.

On Sunday she aims to complete 100 miles – a ride made all the more challenging as she has one of the last set off times of 9.10am. Cyclists have to finish by 6pm that night.

So far Karen has raised £700.

Karen added: “The NHS is brilliant at putting you together again, but it doesn’t help with the rehabilitation. I was fortunate to have insurance in place, which meant I received compensation and access to private rehabilitation. Most people are not that lucky and have to piece their life back together on their own. Recovery takes a really long time.

“I’m inspired to fundraise for Day One because I know what it is like to be in that situation when your world is turned upside down. You need practical and emotional help and don’t need the extra pressures that puts on you, when you should be focussing on your recovery. It’s fantastic that Day One is there to help with this and I believe they should be available to more people.

Kirsty Christmas, fundraising manager for Day One Trauma Support, said: “Karen’s story of recovery is truly inspiring. It’s fantastic to see her back on her bike after such horrendous injuries and we’re delighted that she has chosen to raise money for Day One. With her help, we can ensure no one is left to rebuild their life on their own following catastrophic injury. We wish Karen all the best, we know she’s got this.”