A CLIMBER-turned-runner who made an incredible recovery from serious injuries he suffered in a fall on Ilkley Moor has succeeded in completing a challenging fell race to raise hundreds of pounds for his rescuers.

Will Mawson, 24, collected about £800 for Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) when he ran the 22-mile Wharfedale Three Peaks race on June 25, taking in Birks Fell, Buckden Pike and Great Whernside.

He plunged 30 feet from Wellington Crack, on the walls of Ilkley Quarry on Ilkley Moor, when his climbing gear gave way in April last year.

The terrifying accident left him with a catalogue of injuries, including 11 broken ribs, a broken back, fractured skill, splintered clavicle and a punctured lung.

The Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) was quickly on the scene, helping to stabilise him and offer comfort as he lay in the quarry until experienced medical professionals arrived to treat him. He says he owes his life to the quick actions of the entirely volunteer-run fell rescue team.

He was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency care

Outdoor activities-loving Will, who now lives in Horsforth and works at Guiseley-based outdoor activities equipment company, Facewest, has recovered with the aid of physiotherapy, nutrition and a careful training programme.

Since recovering from the accident, he has become an avid runner, and plans to take part in more races in the coming months, as well as more fundraising events for the fell rescue association.

He completed Wharfedale Three Peaks in just short of six hours and came an impressive 36th of about 170 runners, although he admits he had hoped his time would have been an hour quicker.

"It was a roasting hot day," he said. "I was feeling fine for the first six miles, and then I was roasting hot after that."

He got sponsorship from kinesiology tape manufacturer, Rocktape.

Despite the horror of his fall from from the quarry close to the Cow and Calf Rocks beauty spot last year, he has not entirely turned his back on climbing.

After moving house to Horsforth, he says he is closer to climbing walls, where he plans to get back into the sport.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale Observer, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.