Each year, inspirational runners take on the London Marathon for reasons close to their hearts – and 2025 sawan incredible Lancashire supporter taking part in aid of us.
Hannah Binns, 28, ran as a thank you to the firefighters that rescued her after a traumatic car crash in 2023 – and she’s raised more than £8,000 through her fundraising efforts.
Hannah, who has no personal connection to the fire service, says: “On December 7, 2023, I was involved in a traumatic car crash on the M6 – a road I was very used to driving on.
“I was on my way back home from a work event and noticed cars coming down the slip road onto the motorway, so trying to be helpful, I checked my mirrors, indicated, looked again then went to move lanes.
“As I merged, something hit me in my driver’s door, causing me to spin across the motorway, in front of those cars, then over a barrier, I think, which caused my car to roll, before being trapped upside down in some woods.
“I remember clutching the steering wheel and thinking this is it, I could die.”
Hannah recalls trying to get out of her door but it was jammed shut, and couldn’t find her phone anywhere to call for help.
“Nobody had stopped to check if I was okay, meaning I was stuck upside down alone in pitch-darkness, terrified. I was honestly petrified and had no way of communicating where I was as I couldn’t find my phone,” she says.
“Thankfully my car had an SOS button which I kept pressing, along with honking the horn, and I heard sirens after a while.
“Some firefighters then approached and I heard one of them sound shocked I was alive in there. They did a tremendous job of calming me down and getting me out of my car safely and quickly. One of them was a farmer’s son who noticed my sheep patterned jumper so talked to me about my family farm, which gave me something else to focus on.
“They also gathered my possessions from the car and even found my phone in the woods, speaking to my parents and my partner to let them know I was alive and with help.
“The firefighters stayed with me long after the police and ambulance arrived to make sure I was okay and I am eternally grateful for all their help and support on that horrific night.”
Hannah fortunately escaped without serious injury and says she wanted to give back to our charity, as a thank you to the firefighters who helped her – and all others across the UK.
“I’m a keen runner – I’m not quick, but I really enjoy lacing up my trainers and heading outside, it brings massive mental health benefits,” she adds. “I can never repay the firefighters for what they did for me that evening, but running in honour of the Fire Fighters Charity was a small way I could give something back.
“I always think, firefighters help us in our hour of need, but who’s helping them? And that’s what I see your charity’s role as being.”
Hannah set up a car treasure hunt around her local village with a night’s dinner, bed and breakfast at the Coach and Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland, kindly donated to the winning pair. She also organised and hosted a fundraising event, consisting of a charity auction, raffle and quiz.
“I was blown away by people’s support and generosity, we had over 40 raffle prizes and 24 auction lots, some of which were items or experiences donated by large national companies such as Barbour Foundation, The Original Muck Boot Company and I’Ansons. The event raised nearly £5,500 which I’m delighted with,” she adds.
And speaking of the run itself, she says: “I thought I’d put years of chasing sheep around the farm to the test and am proud to have completed my first marathon in London in aid of Fire Fighters Charity. Nothing prepared me for the heat and crowded course, but the spectators’ enthusiasm and support carried me through.
“I’m delighted to have raised over £8,000 for this incredible charity which helps those who selflessly help us in our hours of need. It means so much to be able to give back to the firefighters after they saved me from a traumatic car crash in December 2023. I’d also like to thank the charity for the opportunity and all the support in the run up to the event and post-race.”
To support Hannah’s fundraising, click here:
