Charlotte Roach, hit by a car in horror smash while training for London 2012, dons outfits to raise cash for London’s Air Ambulance

Islington Gazette: Members of the Rabble team doing their bit to help Charlotte's fund-raising driveMembers of the Rabble team doing their bit to help Charlotte's fund-raising drive (Image: Archant)

A fun-loving fitness fanatic has given up clothes for lent in a bid to raise cash for the charity that saved her life after a horror crash.

Islington Gazette: Charlotte Roach (right), who is giving up clothes for lent to raise cash for London's Air AmbulanceCharlotte Roach (right), who is giving up clothes for lent to raise cash for London's Air Ambulance (Image: Archant)

Charlotte Roach, 26, who runs keep-fit company Rabble, in Torrens Street, Finsbury, has dressed up as a cockroach, a skeleton, a jellyfish and Frenchman to bring in funds for London’s Air Ambulance.

Miss Roach was in training for the 2012 Olympics triathlon team when a crash with a Land Rover left her with punctured lungs, 12 fractured vertebra, broken ribs, and a broken collarbone - and without the speedy actions of helicopter team she says she wouldn’t be here today.

“I didn’t realise London’s Air Ambulance is a charity,” she said.

“The fact people donated in the past is the reason I am still alive.

“At the very least I want to donate enough to save someone else life.

“So I thought I’d give up something for lent, and decided on my normal clothes.

“I’ve had lots of silly outfits so far, and I’ve got a few days left.

“I originally set a fairly modest target of £500, but I’m already at £750 so now I’m going to try for £1,000.

It was while recuperating from her terrible injuries that Miss Roach hit upon the concept behind Rabbles.

“While I was recovering from my injuries I thought to myself ‘exercise in London sucks, it’s really boring’.

“I wanted it to be fun like when I was a kid and running around the place was the highlight of my day.

“So I quit my job and started Rabble where we disguise exercise as games like capture the flag, the hunger games, dodgeball and British bulldogs.”

It’s not the first time Miss Roach has tried to bring in funds for the charity. After learning to walk again following her terrifying smash, she cycled to London from Beijing, raising £10,000 sponsorship in the process.

“It was a pretty amazing experience” she said.

Click here for more information about Rabble, or to sponsor miss Roach.