A 70-year-old South Herefordshire woman, who faced slim chances of survival after an horrific accident last summer, has been praised for her courage and resilience during a special presentation.
Readers all over the county held their breath when they heard about a horrific accident at Black House Farm at Much Dewchurch, when Blanche Whistance lost a leg in a baling machine.
Now walking again with the use of an artificial limb, Mrs Whistance’s bravery has been an inspiration to many, not least her 18-year-old granddaughter, Nicky, who has raised thousands of pounds for the Air Ambulance in recognition of their rescue of her Nan.
In a move away from usual protocol, an Air Ambulance representative, Arthur Worthington visited the farm on Saturday to receive an £11,300 cheque from Nicky, and to meet the woman whose remarkable recovery has been put down to the team who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. Said Nicky’s mother, Sally Whistance: “Nan has been an inspiration in the first place, and you want to do the same, and Nicky has followed by example.
“We are very proud of her for raising so much money, and the Air Ambulance made an exception because of the large amount raised by an individual, so they actually came to the farm on Saturday.”
Sally and her husband and their three children were on holiday last August when the accident happened.
“She was helping my father-in-law, who was repairing a baler, and she became entangled in the machine,” she explained. “It was an horrific accident, and she was said to have a slim chance of survival.
To the children she’s always been Nan, but they jokingly call her the Iron Lady now.”
Nicky received support from her family, from the community and local businesses as well as Pontrilas Young Farmers’ Club.
Cash was raised at a promises auction, the sale conducted by a relative, auctioneer Jenny Layton, a barn dance and raffle.
“Draw tickets don’t usually go very well, but they actually went like hot cakes; everyone wanted to support the Air Ambulance,” said Sally.
Her mother-in-law underwent a number of operations at Frenchay Hospital, and has since had a series of minor operations at Hereford.
“Because of what she’s been through and because she’s come so far, she is amazing and that’s why the children call her the Iron Lady,” said Sally.
“A representative from the Air Ambulance said he was quite happy to come down to the farm because of such a large amount of money, and he wanted to meet my mother-in-law.”
She praised Nicky and the rest of her family for their efforts. “It’s a family thing. You tend to do things together as a family, and we’ve supported Nicky in every way that we can.”
