AN Amblecote schoolgirl who nearly died in a freak playground accident that left her with injuries akin to a ‘car crash’ has raised almost £3,000 for the hospital unit that saved her life.

Seven-year-old Libby Woodward split her liver after a fall in the playground of her school, St James’s Primary in Wollaston, last July.

She needed emergency treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to save her life and, even now, almost a year later, her liver is not totally healed.

But she is nearing full health again – and, ever since Libby has been back on her feet, she has been determined to raise money for the hospital’s rhesus unit that kept her alive.

Through cake sales, race nights and other charity events, Libby has racked up nearly £3,000 so far – and her fundraising efforts will not stop there.

Proud mum Diane said: “As a family we are so proud of how brave Libby was when the accident happened and the courage she has shown.

“We are also so proud of the fact that through all of her own struggles she still thinks of others and wants to help them too.

“Libby wanted to raise some money when she was well enough and although still unable to do much physical activity she set about making a few cakes and sold them off our drive.

“She wanted to do more, so we have organised things like a family race night, and she has already made lots of plans for when she is back to full health.

“Libby wants it to be an ongoing thing, that every year or two she will do something special to raise money, like long walks, bike rides and abseils.”

It is ten months on since the bizarre accident that almost took Libby’s life, when she fell from a school playground pirate ship and landed awkwardly.

Mum Diane admitted the seriousness of the situation was not immediately apparent, recalling: “We just thought she might have broken a rib at first.

“But when we took her to Russells Hall Hospital, she was constantly being sick, and we so nearly lost her.

“The doctors later said the level of impact was like someone who had been hit by a car. The school was mortified but it was nobody’s fault.

“She had to have a massive team of people transfer her to Birmingham and she stayed there for two weeks because there was the potential for massive internal bleeding and she was very high risk.

“You read about the children’s hospital but you never appreciate for a minute how good they are until you are thrown into that sort of situation.”

Brave Libby was back at school in October, helped by support of friends and family, including dad Simon and older brothers Kieran, 16, and Callum, 13.

Now, after months of healing, the family hope her next scan in a few weeks’ time will show that her liver is back to normal.

Diane added: “She is back dancing and swimming but she is still limited physically to only being able to do certain things. But fingers crossed she will soon be back to 100 per cent.”

Sally Sixsmith, head teacher at Libby’s school St James’s Primary, said: “We have been so impressed with Libby's determination to fund raise for Birmingham Children's Hospital.

“She has tackled the challenge with perseverance and such a great attitude. Everyone in school is so proud of her.”