by Phill Gill, 06/06/2025
I am sure the last ten years have been eventful for you. They certainly have for me. Personal and work milestones, family, holidays, home, experiences, achievements… much has happened.
Today’s blog post is a story that starts 10 years ago. It’s a story of resilience, not uncommon in our line of work of course – we meet inspiring and resilient clients with injuries, and their families, every single day. We’re never blasé about that – we always feel it is something that is a privilege to be part of. But this story of resilience came with a layer of complexity that our client, and PLG, hadn’t experienced before.
Cast your mind back to 2015.
A significant year up to June for sure. Facebook passed a billion users for the first time, VW had an emissions testing issue about to blow up to a global scandal, Jeremy Clarkson punched a Top Gear producer and the Conservatives swept away a Lib Dem coalition with a resounding victory in the May election.
But on the very day Sepp Blatter resigned from FIFA under a swirling, dark cloud of corruption allegations, a bigger story unfolded on June 2nd 2015 that would capture the attention of the UK and have a profound effect on our business.
A collision on the Smiler rollercoaster occurred at Alton Towers. Most of you will know the story by now. An empty car left on track caused a huge collision with a train carrying passengers. The train smashed into the car at 90mph with catastrophic consequences, particularly for the front row passengers. Two of those were Leah Washington and her boyfriend Joe Pugh. Leah was just 17 years old at the time, suspended metres above the ground for four hours and losing massive amounts of blood. Among many injuries she suffered that day was one resulting in an above-the-knee leg amputation.
I was sunning myself on holiday when I picked up a text message from the indomitable Paul Paxton that read, in his very own style, “how quickly can you get to Stoke?”. The day after my return I was on my way to Stoke and that was the point that our part in this journey began as we formed part of the MDT put together by Paul, the amazing Anna Wiseman and the rest of the team at Stewarts Law.
A key part of that journey, of course, was her living arrangements and making the necessary adaptations to ensure she could live happily in a new home environment designed around her specific needs.
It’s the kind of work we do all the time, understanding clients, their families, the stakeholders around them and building a property solution that meets their needs within the parameters set.
But this one was different. Very different.
The media intrusion was something we’d never experienced before. Confidentiality is a big thing with all of our clients, so to see the paparazzi intrusion, the impact on everyone involved, and the perceptions being created was truly difficult to witness.
Within hours of the accident, Leah and Joe were front-page news. Her private pain was very public, her story sensationalised. The online abuse too! The mentality of people on social media platforms targeting her for receiving compensation is beyond comprehension.
What was lost in all that noise was the reality of a young woman waking up to a life she never wanted and could never have anticipated and a family trying to navigate that reality with dignity, love and purpose.
At PLG, we did what we do.
We worked with clarity, speed and vision to help Leah; finding a rental home and adapting it so that we met her evolving needs and gave her space to begin again.
What might go unappreciated in these situations is the personal bond we build with our clients. Delivering such a personal and important service when clients are often at the lowest point in their lives is profound, and it’s impossible not to feel invested in them and their recoveries. I am certain that everyone involved in this line of work feels the same and if you don’t, you really should be doing something else.
For some reason this one went even further for me. The intrusion being experienced from outside the family and care group was galvanising. It intensified the mission to work as hard as humanly possible to deliver for Leah. Strong, personal relationships were built – with Leah and her lovely family – one of those moments where clients become friends. David and Louise, if you read this I am looking forward to a hug tomorrow!
So, it brings me immense joy that Leah’s journey today stands as a powerful testament. She recently married Joe in a beautiful ceremony, one that speaks to love, strength and overcoming adversity in the most courageous way.
Ten years on.
We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in Leah’s new beginning. Tomorrow (Saturday 7th June 2025), to mark the 10-year anniversary, Leah and Joe are hosting a charity ball in support of the Midlands Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the LimbBo Foundation, a charity that supports limb-different children. I’m truly delighted to have been invited and if you aren’t attending, please try and chuck a fiver in the direction of one of these amazing charities.
Every story needs a happy ending.
So, I will leave this one here. These are Leah’s truly inspiring words (and a great video here):
10 Years 02/06/2015 – a day I’ll never forget.
“Ten years ago, my life changed forever in ways I could never have imagined. It feels like both a lifetime ago and just yesterday since the Smiler crash accident. If I could go back and speak to the 17 year old me in the hospital bed, I would tell her you’re going to be ok. You’ll find the confidence you thought lost, and grow into a strong, resilient woman who embraces life even with the challenges it throws your way.
There were moments when it would’ve been easy to hide away, to let life pass by. But thanks to the love and support of my family, friends, and rehab team, I found my purpose again. Slowly but surely, I rebuilt my life and I’m proud of where I am today.
But despite it all, my outlook on life has transformed. I’ve learned not to take a single moment for granted and I try to live each one like it could be my last.”
