Brave Kate Sanderson raises money for Royal Flying Doctor Service

KATE Sanderson‘s was one of six runners burnt by wildfire that swept through the course of their ultra-marathon in 2011. Now she’s raising money for her rescuers.

Kate is returning to the Kimberley to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctors Service who rescued her after she was trapped ...

KATE Sanderson’s heart aches to soak up the calmness that oozes from one of the most far-flung parts of the country.

She misses that initial sharp, almost painful, jolt of breathing in the hot, dusty air of the desert.

But the last time Ms Sanderson was in the Kimberley, it almost killed her. She was one of six runners trapped by a wildfire that swept through the course of their 100km West Australian ultra-marathon in September 2011.

Along with fellow runner Turia Pitt, she suffered burns to more than 60 per cent ofher body.

It has since been a different kind of marathon for the 38-year-old as she repairs her scarred body and mind, including having half her foot amputated and her fingers fusedinto a permanent claw shape.

But Ms Sanderson is preparing to return to the Kimberley, while also raising money for the service that rescued her.

In her first two weeks of fundraising for the Gibb Challenge — a 700km six-day relay-style mountain bike event in May — Ms Sanderson has raised more than $5000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria.

“I love the arid zone, the red dust. There’s something special about it,” Ms Sanderson said. “Nothing is going to stop me from loving that area.”

It is the same tenacity thatled her to book a kayak trip from her hospital bed last January, and compete in a 700km adventure race two weeks after fingers on her right hand were fused.

Among the three men to ride the red dirt track with her will be one of therunners she was trapped with and a miner who was among the first on the scene to help.

Just before the race, she will compete in the Lake ­Argyle swim with Ms Pitt.

“People say after accidents, they’re glad it happened. I’m not there yet,” Ms Sanderson said. “I’ve had to slow down a lot.

“I’ve struggled with that, but I’m getting through.”

To donate or get more details of next month’s charity lunch featuring Kate and Turia, go to https://gibb2014.everydayhero.com/au/kate