Hannah Leonard was training for the Dublin Marathon in Sicily when the horror accident unfolded on October 6, 2024.
Hannah Leonard was badly injured in an accident while training for the Dublin Marathon
A young woman who suffered life-changing injuries after being struck by a car will finally be able to return home thanks to DIY SOS.
Hannah Leonard was training for the Dublin Marathon in Sicily when the horror accident unfolded on October 6, 2024. Shortly into her run, she was struck by a car and was sent 15 feet into the air, landing on her head.
The young woman, who was just 24-years-old, suffered devastating brain injuries and underwent life-saving neurosurgery. Surgeons removed a large piece of her skull to relieve pressure from her brain, and she was fitted with a tracheostomy and a catheter to her head.
She was eventually airlifted back to Ireland and is currently in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, but she will soon be able to return home.
The renovation project is currently underway at the family home in Bray in Wicklow – after an army of volunteers got stuck in. Bray-based Sycamore Construction is leading the complex renovation project. The entire project will feature in an upcoming episode of DIY SOS, which is fronted by Baz Ashmawy.
Baz Ashmawy.(Image: Brian McEvoy)
Hannah’s dad, Kevin, said: “The finish line is in sight, and Hannah will be coming home. Even just typing that seems surreal, but it is happening in the not-too-distant future.
“We are banished from our home and have had to give up control of Hannah’s journey for the first time, the army of volunteers and trades people working tirelessly to have our home completely renovated in just nine days which includes a whole new bedroom and bathroom for Hannah.
“We are totally humbled by the volumes of people that turn out each day to make our promises to Hannah a reality. We don’t know many of the people but they have heard of Hannah’s journey and want to help. It is Hannah’s journey but also our families story and it’s not a story I would wish on anyone. “
By taking part in the show, Kevin said Hannah will be seen publicly for the first time since the accident. He explained: “With the arrival of the team from DIYSOS, there are necessary intrusions into our families life and story. We’ve often been able to hide behind a computer screen but now for the first time we will be on screen.
“Our story has been shared through written word or faceless interviews on the radio. The intrusions have been done in the most caring and compassionate way and can’t really be classed as intrusions, we are given time to share with every interaction done in the most respectful way. We don’t shy away from the difficult questions, we feel it’s important to share allowing others to learn.
“We are interviewed as a family and then individually. Understandably, I’m quite protective of Hannah, Lex and Vanessa. We allow the cameras in to spend time with Hannah, the first time images will be out in the public domain since the accident, but she sleeps for the majority of the interaction.”
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