My 'Run For Mum' -- bravery of paralysed Sandra inspires her son to help charity
A man has been inspired by the bravery of his mum, who was partially paralysed by a fall, to run a fundraising marathon for charity.
Popular Sandra Adams, 65, who is described as “a true character” of Woodhall Spa, suffered a serious spinal-cord injury after a nasty tumble down the stairs that almost killed her.
She was rushed to hospital and spent months in intensive care, paralysed from the neck down, fighting to survive and battling pneumonia, anaemia and other serious complications.
Doctors doubted she would ever come off a ventilator, but she has proved them wrong and is on the long road to recovery.
Now her youngest son, Luke Adams, 37, has launched a campaign to raise funds for Spinal Research, the only UK charity dedicated to finding treatments and cures for paralysis. And his campaign will reach a climax next April when he tackles the London Marathon in a challenge nicknamed his ‘Run For Mum’.
"My mum is my best friend and I am very close to her,” said Luke, who lives in Tamworth, Staffordshire and works as a supervising officer in the prison service.
“Overnight, her life changed completely, and her journey has been incredibly tough.
"But her determination, courage and fighting spirit carried her through every setback. Through sheer strength and determination, she proved doctors wrong.
“The incredible hospital and rehab teams supported her every step of the way, giving us hope on even the hardest days.
“After many long months, she finally moved to the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre in Sheffield, where she continues her rehabilitation.
"She’s working tirelessly every day to regain strength and independence, with an expected discharge in around ten weeks.
"The future remains uncertain, and her life will be very different from before, but her resilience never fades.
“Through all of this, my mum has shown more bravery than words can describe. She is my biggest inspiration.
"That’s why I’m taking on the 2026 London Marathon, running for Spinal Research to help fund life-changing breakthroughs for people living with spinal cord injuries.”
Luke, who lives with his partner Craig and their seven-year-old son Charlie, says running in the marathon is his way of “showing how proud I am” of Sandra and “supporting the vital research that could change lives like hers in the future”.
He has set a target of £2,500 on the crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe, and is hoping the Woodhall Spa community will support him by sponsoring his run. He is already well on the way, with 22 supporters making donations of £565 so far.
"Every donation no matter how small, would make a real difference,” he says. “It would mean a lot to our family and help raise awareness for an incredible cause.”
Support is guaranteed to come from Luke’s three brothers, Scott, who lives near Boston, and Woodhall Spa duo Lee and Ben.
And it is hoped that the fundraising campaign is as successful as one earlier this year, run by Andrew Walker, who is the father of Ben’s wife, Heidi.
It generated about £13,000, which is to go towards the care, treatment and equipment Sandra will require in the months and years to come. For example, she will need a suitable, adapted home and a wheelchair.
Sandra, described as “the glue that holds the Adams family together”, worked for many years as the cook at Russell Green Care Home in Woodhall Spa before taking retirement.
She is also well-known in the town for working at a dry cleaners’, running a private ironing service and serving behind the bar of a local pub.
Luke says the latest update on her progress is positive in that she “has some sensation in her left hand and her feet”, which he described as “an amazing milestone” and “a big achievement”.
"It means she’s not completely paralysed but no-one knows what the future looks like,” he added. “Doctors can’t say how long the rehabilitation will take or how much more movement she will get back.
"She is in the right hands and she’s feeling positive. But It’s unknown what she will be capable of after leaving the Sheffield hospital.”
As for Luke himself, his training for London has begun with a few 5k runs alongside his faithful dog, Penelope. He has never tackled a full marathon but did complete a half-marathon last year.
"I only took up running two years ago,” he said. “I was not fit at all and I had a health wake-up call.”
Now his wake-up call has turned into a personal mission that could save lives and revive that of his beloved mum.