Accident dad’s ‘brave’ daughter

10:26am Friday 18th April 2008

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A SURVIVOR of a terrifying cherry-picker accident in York has nominated his "brave" daughter for a top award.

Chris Cook, 43, and Karl Thackrah, were left fighting for their lives in August last year after being catapulted from a cherry picker hydraulic platform on to a street in Bootham, York.

They had been carrying out some work on the outside of Chris's house.

Chris's injuries were so serious doctors were on the verge of turning off his life support machine. But Chris made a miraculous recovery and within three months was back with his family.

Chris said his ten-year-old daughter, Maddie, who witnessed the accident, had been "incredibly brave" throughout last year.

He said: "My youngest daughter, Maddie, saw the accident along with my wife, Julie. My wife said in that moment, and from then on, Maddie showed such courage in such a dreadful situation."

After the accident, Chris and Julie became involved with Headway, a national charity that works to improve life for people who have suffered brain injury. Last month the couple helped the charity's re-launch. Maddie also wanted to help and raised £200 for Headway by staging a "readathon" with some school friends.

Chris said: "When Maddie went back to school in September, she decided to organise a readathon with her friends to raise money for Headway.

"She knew we were trying to help set up a Headway branch in York and she knew the money would come in useful. Sue Ratcliffe, head teacher at Bootham Junior School, where Maddie is a pupil, said she would like to make Headway the school charity and will organise some more events to raise money."

Chris and Julie now want to nominate their daughter for Charity Fundraiser Of The Year in The Press's Community Pride awards.

"We are very proud of Maddie," said Chris.

"She has been through such an awful time, but is always happy to help others and says she is going to help raise more money for Headway-York with more fundraising events.

"She should be charity fundraiser of the year."

If you think you know someone who should be Charity Fundraiser Of The Year we would love to hear from you.

Send us a picture of your nominee, along with a supporting statement setting out why your nominee deserves an award, to Community Pride awards, Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

Alternatively, you can send an email to editor@thepress.co.uk

You can download forms here.