A FUNDRAISING night is being held to mark the tenth anniversary of a horrific car accident in which two dale children were critically injured.
Jack and Sophie Handyside were aged just ten and eight when both suffered severe head injuries in the collision, on the A688, near the Burnt Houses junction.
Both were airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, at Newcastle, and in the years since the accident, the family, led by their mum Julie Elstob, has raised thousands of pounds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Ms Elstob said the accident continued to affect both Jack, now 20, and 18-year-old Sophie. After he left hospital, Jack spent an extra year at Butterknowle Primary School, before moving on to Staindrop Academy.
He then went on to complete a two-year animal care course at Houghall College and now volunteers at Wetheriggs Animal Rescue Centre.
“He has still got his difficulties and still needs support staff to help him,” said Ms Elstob.
“He tends to get on with things, but his memory is poor and he needs help keeping on track with things.”
Sophie, whose injuries affected a different part of the brain compared to her brother, is about to start the final year of a health and social care course at Bishop Auckland College.
However, her mum said Sophie had been notified by the DVLA that her application for a driving licence had been declined on medical grounds – a decision the family is planning to appeal.
“It’s no good giving up. We have got to carry on,” said Ms Elstob.
“It’s been hard and when you have days, for example, when the A level results come out and kids are going to university, Sophie and Jack won’t have the chance.
“They might not be able to get paid jobs – that makes me quite bitter,” she added.
“The accident will always be there. We have got to live with it. We have support staff here all the time. It’s not like a family home.”
Originally from Butterknowle, the family now lives in Barnard Castle and have visited the air ambulance base, meeting paramedics and pilots.
Ms Elstob estimates that since the accident, they have raised more than £10,000 for the GNAAS.
This year’s fundraising evening is likely to be the last. It takes place at Butterknowle Village Hall on Saturday, October 1. There will be a live band, pie and peas supper and a raffle.
“We’ve not been able to do much during Covid but it felt it was a special one this year as it was ten years – and now they are both over 18, Jack and Sophie will be coming as well,” said Ms Elstob.
“This might well be the last fundraising night we do, but we’ll carry on supporting the air ambulance in other ways.”
Tickets for the fundraiser are £10 available from Ms Elstob – call 07707 793954. Any local businesses willing to donate prizes for the raffle can also contact Ms Elstob.
“I am really grateful for any support,” she said.
