A determined nan who broke her neck and was temporarily paralysed after a cycling accident is preparing for another major challenge in memory of her granddaughter.
Alison Short is running April’s London Marathon to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), which provided care and support for her family following the death of little Aria, aged just 22 months, in November 2023.
Aria had a rare genetic disorder called Miller-Dieker syndrome. The condition meant the outer part of her brain, the cerebral cortex, was smooth and not properly developed.
After a series of seizures, Aria was diagnosed at seven months, and EACH soon came into her life, also providing vital support for Alison’s son, Paul, and his partner, Chloe.
“Having EACH by their side made such a difference, in terms of having someone to help them liaise with the medical teams,” said Alison, who lives in Perry, near Huntingdon.
“It was a minefield, but with the experience of the teams at EACH they were able to cut through the administration, and it meant they didn’t have to do everything on their own. It helped so much at a very stressful and traumatic time, given that they were caring for Aria 24/7.
“For me, as a grandparent, it made such a difference, knowing they were all being looked after. It took a lot of the worry off and meant I could just be nanny, without being the one who needed to help them find answers. Everyone went the extra mile, and I’ll forever be grateful.
“EACH became their first port of call and remains a huge help to this day, in terms of helping navigate the bereavement process and receiving wellbeing support.”
Alison, 61, says running the London Marathon is her way of remembering Aria, and those memories will motivate her to complete the challenge.
She said: “I always say Aria had one of everything during her short life – one birthday, one Christmas, as well as one trip to the seaside and one visit to see Santa.
“She was beautiful, and it was a privilege being her nanny and getting to have time with her.
“I saw her every week and I‘m so grateful for every hour we spent together. I never took it for granted, and it was our special time together.
“Her life was short but filled with so much love and happiness that Paul and Chloe provided for her. She’s missed every day and will never be forgotten.”
Ironically, Paul and Chloe, who live in St Neots, were on their way to break the news of their new arrival on the day of Alison’s accident.
They had a scan picture and were excited to share their special news on a trip to the seaside together at Hunstanton.
Instead, that morning, Alison broke her neck and suffered major spinal injuries after being in collision with a car on an S-bend near Sandringham, while out on a bike ride. She spent eight weeks in hospital in King’s Lynn, before being transferred to a specialist spinal unit in Sheffield.
It proved a long road back to fitness, but, incredibly, she completed a super sprint triathlon a year later, managed two half ironman events in 2024 and spent last Christmas and New Year trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp.
“After my accident, I knew it would be an immense struggle to see if I could get back to full fitness, but I remained positive and confident I’d be OK,” said Alison.
“I had to learn to walk again and still find certain things challenging, due to the permanent damage to my spinal cord.”
Alison vowed to ‘never do a marathon again’ after completing one when she was 20.
“However, I’ve always loved a challenge and consider myself a very positive person, so what better motivation do I need than Aria,” she said.
“That’s why I was so delighted to gain my place in the London Marathon, as a way of giving something back and raising funds for EACH. Hopefully it’ll help them continue to support families affected by challenging circumstances.
“I just want to get on with life and consider myself the luckiest person in the world. Obviously, my accident could have been so much worse.
“It makes you realise how precious life is, because it can be snatched away at any point.
“I want to make every mile count and won’t give in, because it’s very important to me to spread the word and raise some money for charities that do such incredible work.”
In addition to supporting EACH, Alison is also raising money for the Matt Hampson Foundation – a charity that has helped her after her accident and inspires and supports young people seriously injured through sport. She is aiming to raise £2,620, to represent the 26.2 miles of the marathon distance. To show your support and sponsor her, head here.
