For Courtney, what began last September as an after school ride with her dad on his new motorbike ended with a shattered leg, 11 surgeries and months with her leg encased in an external metal frame.

Courtney’s leg took the full impact when a car came around the corner and slammed directly into the side of the motorbike.

An ambulance rushed Courtney to nearby Emerald Hospital where she was stabilised. Later that night she was flown to Rockhampton for surgery, and two weeks later she was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.

Courtney had to remain in bed with her leg immobilised for two weeks. She underwent several surgeries, including skins grafts and complex orthopaedic procedures. At one stage, doctors even thought that Courtney might lose her leg, but they managed to save it.

The frame will come off Courtney’s leg soon, but that’s not the end of her tough journey.

Further surgery will be required to remove scar tissue, and Courtney will need to make regular trips to Brisbane for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and checks that the new bone inserted into her leg is growing.

“The nurses and doctors were awesome,” Courtney said. “They’ve done so much for me.”

The Queensland Police are only too familiar with stories like this one – road accidents can have a devastating effect and life-long implications on victims. But now you can help kids like Courtney who have been affected by illness and injuries. By joining Operation Challenge4Kids and raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, you will be helping Courtney and thousands more young Queenslanders to get out of hospital and get back to being kids!