Kate Harwood

A tragic event during her time at secondary school inspired Keele graduate Kate Harwood to become a physiotherapist.  

On Monday, 24 May 2010, a bus carrying children home from Keswick School collided with a car – claiming the lives of two schoolchildren. Kate was not on the bus that day, but many of her school friends were seriously injured.   

It was from that point that Kate, now a static medical physiotherapist at West Cumberland Hospital, became inspired to work in healthcare and help others.   

She said: “Ever since then I was driven to do something to help, something that would help to improve people’s lives following a tragedy.  

"Physiotherapy was so fitting because a lot of my friends had to go through physio due to the extent of their injuries.  

"I will never forget the day one of our friends walked into our IT lesson, three months after the crash for the first time; we all stood up and clapped. A moment that has inspired me to this day.  

"I have always felt guilty for not being on the bus that day, so I chose this role because I felt like I would be giving back and helping where I could not before."  

Kate graduated from Keele in 2018 after studying BSc in Physiotherapy, a degree which she says set her on the way to her chosen career path.  

She said: “I always knew I wanted to be a physiotherapist working in a hospital setting. The in-depth physiotherapy programme at Keele and variety of clinical placements really helped me gain experience in so many areas and confirm how much I love working in a hospital setting. I have always had a love for respiratory and I believe the dedicated lecturers enhanced my love and desire to be a respiratory physiotherapist.”