Adventurer Rosie Swale Pope is known for loving her challenges, but one she didn’t plan on was breaking her hip after slipping on a frozen puddle just after Christmas.

Suffering such a medical drama at the aged of 71 for most is seen as a sign that it may be time to take it easy - at least for a little while.

But not Rosie. She has embraced the incident and turned to social media in a bid to highlight the fantastic work of staff in the NHS, especially over the festive season.

Now living near her family in Hove and Brighton, Rosie underwent her hip operation at the Princess Royal Hospital, Hayward’s Heath.

Such is her determination to be able to run again, she even sent surgeons a copy of her book, Just A Little Run Around The World for them to look at before her operation so they could read of her plans.

Rosie has not long returned from running across the United States, alone, pulling all her kit in a cart behind her and more recently has spent a month-and-a-half sleeping out for local charities.

“Christmas and the stormy weather was fine,” says Rosie. “But on December 28, just doing my laundry and popping into a convenience store for a couple of bits and pieces, not even pulling Slick Chick, I fell and broke my hip. It’s bad luck as it was the same hip I had the stress fracture in after falling on the ice during the winter in Iceland.”

Rosie had her hip pinned and within days was walking with a zimmer frame and then crutches. She’s now on the road to recovery, has been discharged from hospital and hopes to be able to run again in six weeks, plus make a visit to her beloved Tenby next month.

She is also about to start her latest book about her American adventure.

“I am writing the book now. I will take my time. I want this to be my legacy.”

Having experienced the work of the NHS at first hand, Rosie also plans to do an event in the service’s honour.

“Amongst all the biggest heroes I have ever been privileged to meet are all the NHS staff,” said Rosie. “On New Year’s Eve, they were not just coping, but producing excellence for every patient. Nothing spared, full of love and caring are these cheery nurses.

“I have been blessed by my broken hip to learn more. One thing this has taught me, don’t wait, life and health are not given. Don’t ever stop.

“The next 10 years are important and I am full of energy.

“Three pins are now holding all my dreams together.

“When my hip is better I want to do something for the NHS.

“The NHS is special. I don’t know what to do, but I will do something.”