Getting Nick back on his feet

Nick Ashill, an ultra-marathon runner from New Zealand, was living his dream, running across America, 5,400 km’s from Los Angeles to New York raising money for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust. Nick’s mum died of pulmonary fibrosis in 2015 so it is a charity that Nick is deeply passionate about. He understands that people and families with pulmonary fibrosis need practical, emotional and financial help. Now Nick needs this from all of us.

In the second week of May 2017 Nick started his run in Los Angeles and followed the historical Route 66 before veering off at Illinois, through Indiana and Ohio. With only 922 km's to go Ohio is where the run ended for Nick as he was involved in a serious hit and run accident and left badly injured in a ditch on the side of the road. Miraculously Nick was speaking to his wife Sarah in Cyprus when the accident happened and Sarah was able to alert his support crew and get the emergency help he needed. You may have seen the news reports about Nick’s accident.

Nick was left with compound fractures to his leg and pelvis and the doctors say, is very lucky to be alive. He unfortunately had a set back with a perforated bowel and a serious infection and to date has had 5 major surgeries. The cost of medical care grows daily. His rehabilitation is due to take about 6 months in Ohio and Nick needs your help. Once Nick is out of hospital he needs to go through intensive rehab and needs help with the daily cost of living: rent, groceries, transport and most importantly a paid carer. These costs could be more than half a million dollars.

Nick says he wanted his run to “Inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things and to never be afraid to dream big”. This is an extraordinary situation and now Nick needs your help.

All donations, big and small will help Nick get back on his feet and back to his family. Thank you for “helping Nick to get back on his feet”.

You will find more on Nick's story at www.nickrunsamerica.com

Links to news reports:

ABC6 - TV News (7th August, 2017)

http://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/family-hit-skip-victim-to-be-in-hospital-for-5-months-likely-to-never-run-again

NBC4 - TV News (8th August, 2017)

http://nbc4i.com/2017/08/08/wife-of-charity-runner-injured-in-hit-and-run-makes-plea-for-tips/

10TV - TV News (7th August, 2017)

http://www.10tv.com/article/charity-runner-struck-madison-county-remain-hospital-may-never-run-again

ABC6 - TV Interview with Nick, (27th August, 2017)

http://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/charity-runner-who-was-injured-in-hit-and-run-says-he-and-the-driver-need-to-heal

TV10 - TV Interview with Nick, (29th August, 2017)

http://www.10tv.com/article/new-zealand-runner-struck-pickup-truck-hopes-finish-trek-across-america

NZ Herald - News article (2nd September, 2017)

http://nzherald.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/iphone/showpage.aspx?issue=74782017090200000000001001&page=1&returnUrl=http%253a%252f%252fnzherald.newspaperdirect.com%252fepaper%252fiphone%252fhomepage.aspx%2523_title74782017090200000000001001%252fwatitle74782017090200000000001001%252f7478%252f74782017090200000000001001%252f1%252ftrue&x=0.5504885993485342&y=0.7726218097447796

Stuff NZ - News article (2nd September, 2017)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/96433589/the-kiwi-runner-left-for-dead-i-tried-to-get-up-but-my-pelvis-was-smashed