A woman suffered extreme burns to half of her body and was given a 10% chance of survival after she ran into her burning home to save her dogs.

Vanessa Hayes, 53, woke up to find herself in an inferno - her two-bed home was on fire.

Thick smoke was already billowing up the stairs, and Vanessa's immediate priority was saving her three dogs - Bella, Lulu, and Pippa.



Managing to get two of them out, Vanessa made the harrowing decision to go back into the burning house to save Bella.

Bella, a Bichon Frisé, died, but Pippa, a pug, and and Lulu, a French bulldog, survived.

Vanessa suffered 50% full-thickness burns on every part of her body except the palms of her hands and also suffered severe internal injuries to her vital organs due to smoke inhalation.



Despite the overwhelming odds against her survival, Vanessa has fought tirelessly to rebuild her life, finding solace and purpose through horses.



Now she has a dream to represent Great Britain in Para Dressage and create a sanctuary for trauma survivors.

Vanessa, from Haverigg, Cumbria, said: "Everyday for months after the fire I wanted to die. "

"There was a point at the critical stages where my family wondered if I would even want to survive given the pain." "

The fire broke out in the early hours of August 11, 2019 and Vanessa was jolted awake at 4 am by her pug, Pippa, barking frantically.

"The smoke was scalding, like steam from a kettle," Vanessa recalls."



"I was being physically restrained by people outside not to go in, but I got free of their grip and ran back in."



"My injuries were already bad, but the wouldn't have been anywhere near as bad had I not gone back in." "

Despite her best efforts, the heat and smoke overwhelmed her and in the chaos, Vanessa suffered life-threatening burns across her body.

After coming out of the house for a second time Vanessa was rushed to Barrow-in-Furness General Hospital before being transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester.



There her family was told she had less than a 10% chance of survival.

Vanessa spent over three months in a coma, undergoing multiple surgeries to save her life. Doctors used skin grafts from her legs to reconstruct her face and neck.



In a last "hail Mary", doctors administered extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) - a treatment typically reserved for heart and lung transplants and rarely used on burn victims – which takes over the work of the heart and lungs when they are failing. "

Even with advanced medical care, Vanessa faced severe complications, including a life-threatening pseudomonas infection that nearly resulted in the loss of her foot.



Vanessa said: "I swelled up like a giant blister I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for my mum standing firm and saying, ‘She's a fighter.'" "

When Vanessa finally woke up, she believed she'd been abducted by aliens as her sense and sense of time were so distorted.

The road to recovery continue long and painful and Vanessa has undergone numerous surgeries and faces mobility challenges, constant pain, and emotional scars from the trauma.



Vanessa's dream is now to get back doing what she loves – riding horse.

She first owned her first pony at just 18 months old and worked as a warranty executive to fund her love of riding.



"I worked so I could ride," Vanessa said."



Despite her injuries, Vanessa is determined to return to the saddle and has set her sights on competing for Great Britain in Para Dressage.

Her horse, Alan, plays a key role in her physical and emotional recovery,

but training is difficult due to her injuries and the lack of suitable facilities.



To overcome these barriers, Vanessa is fundraising to build a safe equestrian ménage at home.

"I'm determined to move forward," she said."



"Horses have always been my sanctuary, and they're helping me heal." "

Vanessa also hoped to create a retreat where trauma survivors can experience the healing power of horses.



The facility would offer equine therapy alongside other specialised treatments, providing a safe space for those navigating their own paths to recovery.

Vanessa says the trauma she faced was at times unbearable.



"Every day, I wanted to die," she said."



"But meeting other survivors through the Katie Piper Foundation gave me hope -"

I want to give that hope to others." "

So far, Vanessa has raised £210 toward her £20,000 target.



The funds will help her build the facilities she needs to train and compete while creating a space for healing and hope.

Vanessa said: "I want people to know that no matter how dark it gets, there is always a way forward."



"My dream isn't just about Para Dressage - it's about showing others that they can overcome, too." "

To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-help-me-live-life-again-after-being-in-a-house-fire