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A woman was knocked off her bike by a car while completing a charity challenge in memory of her mother.
Jacqui Elliott was left with a deep cut on her chin and bruises on her arms and legs following the accident in Hampton Pier Avenue, Herne Bay.
The 34-year-old, from Broomfield, says she was cycling towards the seafront last Tuesday when a vehicle turning into Essex Avenue crossed into her lane and crashed into her bike.
“As soon as I was hit, I flew in the air, landed head first and did a roll,” she recalled.
“I couldn’t hear anything. Everything was spinning and I was having trouble speaking and remembering things.
“Luckily I had a helmet on and she wasn’t driving very fast, otherwise things could have been very different.”
Ms Elliott, who was with her husband at the time, was driven to her home in Broomfield by a jogger who passed her shortly after the collision.
She was later taken Estuary View in Whitstable, where she was stitched up and offered an appointment with a specialist at the William Harvey Hospital.
She says the incident was reported to police the same day.
“It was an accident and the woman in the car was clearly upset about it,” added Ms Elliott.
“I’d be devastated if I did that to somebody.”
Ms Elliott, who suspects she may also have broken her ribs, was taking part in the 850 Challenge to raise money Kidney Research UK.
"I couldn’t hear anything. Everything was spinning and I was having trouble speaking and remembering things..."
As part of the fundraiser, she set out to cycle 850 miles in total this year.
She was motivated to take part to commemorate her mother, Angela Monk, who died last October at the age of 61 after suffering from kidney disease for 15 years.
But following the crash last week, Ms Elliott is unsure when she will be able to get back in the saddle.
“My mum was really unwell and on dialysis for 10 years,” she added.
“She was always so strong and dealt with the disease always with her head high and a smile on her face.
“But it’s not the physical injuries I’ve suffered, I’m actually quite frightened to go out there and do it again.
“When I feel better physically, I’ll try to tackle getting back out there mentally. I’m determined to get back on once I’m healed.”
Ms Elliott still has to rack up 710 more miles before completing the challenge.
To make a donation to Kidney Research UK, through Ms Elliott’s fundraising page, click here.
