Downham Market woman and former member of Royal Navy set to take on London Marathon just months after accident left her with brain injury

A former member of the Royal Navy is on target for a comeback in the London Marathon just three months after a freak accident that left her with a brain injury.

Susi Rogers-Hartley, 58, who needed two neurosurgery operations to relieve pressure from a bleed on the brain, warmed up for the iconic event by coming first in the wheelchair section of a half marathon.

Susi, who lives near Downham, underwent lengthy surgery after her wheelchair tipped up and cracked her head on the concrete floor while she was getting petrol.

“I’m ecstatic as I really thought I would struggle after the injury and operations,” she said.

“I had been in training for the London Marathon but was absolutely gutted when I had the accident. I just wanted to get round the half marathon to keep the dream and couldn’t really believe it when they told me I had placed visit.”

Susi completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon last Sunday in two hours and 19 minutes, and is targeting a sub-five-hour finish at the London Marathon on Sunday, April 27.

She is raising money for Blesma, the Limbless Veterans, which has supported her since her discharge from the Navy following a spinal cord injury.

“It was quite a bang and, initially, I thought I would be ok,ay but I later began to feel dizzy and I took myself to hospital where a CT scan showed a bleed on the brain which resulted in two operations,” Susi said.

“I was devastated because I thought my ambition to do the London Marathon was over, but if anything, the accident has given me more motivation to do it.”

Despite being told to take the half marathon easy, Susi said she felt great throughout and after - with the first place being an “unexpected bonus”.

“You have to grasp your opportunities, no matter what happens, and the London Marathon gave me something to focus on and helped my recovery,” she added.

“When I was rushed to hospital for one of the operations and had holes drilled in my skull, the London Marathon seemed impossible but I’ve worked steadily on my recovery and the goal of being there on the start line has spurred me on.

“I still have to be careful and not let my blood pressure get too high, so I will have to watch it as I know the adrenaline will be flowing with all the crowds and the amazing occasion.”

Susi hopes that her story will help to inspire other people.

“It’s a great achievement for me, but it is also good to be raising funds for Blesma and giving back to them after all they have done for me over the years,” she said.

“We all have bad days but if I can inspire someone to take up sport, any sport, and have something to focus on then it will be fantastic.”

Reporting by Nathaniel Clifton