Shelley Coleman, alongside two of her dearest friends Lorraine Parker and Samantha Pritchard, have been raising funds for two charities close to their hearts: Oxford Hospitals Charity and the Alan Hudson Day Centre in Wisbech.

The journey has been deeply personal for Shelley, who has spent years battling the rare condition, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), which compresses nerves, veins, or arteries in the thoracic outlet. This debilitating condition led Shelley to lose control of her upper limbs, speech, and short-term memory.

 

Since 2017, the orthopaedic teams at the  John Radcliffe and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre have been by her side, helping her navigate years of pain and uncertainty. Thanks to their innovative care and support, Shelley has regained her mobility, strength, and hope. "My body will never be perfect from TOS, but after everything, it is," Shelley says.

 

“The hospital teams helped me rebuild trust and hope, as decades of fighting had taken its toll both mentally and physically and I was finally able to voice all I was suffering and to learn how many others had sadly faced similar, heartbreaking journeys to diagnosis and help.

 

“This inspiring team helped me face pain, darkness and understand what was happening in my own body and at the end of our journey, in my eyes, gave me a miracle!

 

“The pain has gone with just aches and spasms remaining, the headaches are gone, the short-term memory is strong again and my speech is controlled and clear!”

 

The Three Amigos have organised several fundraising events throughout 2024, including a quiz night, participating in the Holkham Outlaw Triathlon, and a bespoke triathlon covering three counties. Now, they are preparing for what is sure to be an emotional finale at the Oxford Half Marathon.

 

Speaking about their preparation for the challenges, Shelley said, "The training has been tough, especially the swim, where we had to overcome our fears and nerves in open water. There have been many laughs and some hiccups along the way – from deflating floats to goggle malfunctions – but we’ve loved every second."

The women have also dedicated hours to running training in the lead-up to this Sunday’s half marathon. Shelley's motivation has been unwavering: "Full determination and stubbornness have driven us in our quest to say thank you for the exciting life I am able to enjoy with both my family and my friends.

 

“This challenge is my way of thanking the special teams that helped me get to where I am today - My brilliant and kind surgeon, my compassionate and skilled physios, and post-op physio – all of whom flew along with me in my determination to regain my mobility and function. They gave me a miracle and, most importantly, peace and hope."

 

The Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday will mark the final chapter of this incredible journey, as The Three Amigos cross the finish line not just for themselves, but for the countless others whose lives have been touched by the same conditions and care.

 

If The Three Amigos story has inspired you, you can visit their fundraising page:

Click here to support 

 

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