A young constable severely burned in a Melbourne apartment explosion is on the road to recovery - but would prefer to be back in the driver's seat.
Victoria Police First Constable Emma Quick, along with Constable Varli Blake and Sergeant Tony Scully, remain in hospital after the massive blast ripped through a Middle Park flat in January.
But Const Quick's parents say the 28-year-old is powering through her physiotherapy and is already thinking about being back on the beat.
"She's determined to get back to the job that she loves," said her father, Ron Quick.
"She's been determined all her life. She's done her own thing all her life and this is no different."
In fact, she has already talked about being back behind the wheel and wants to be driving around the city, he said.
"She wants to drive but can't yet," he said.
Const Quick's determination in recovering from her injuries motivated nearly two dozen fellow officers on Friday to complete a 30-kilometre "Push for a Quick recovery" charity fun run.
The officers pushed a wheelbarrow between Box Hill and St Kilda police stations and raised more than $10,000 by doing so.
Const Quick's parents, Ron and Di, were at the finish line to greet them.
"Thank you is so inadequate. It really is," her mother said.
The officers were injured while responding to a report of a man threatening self-harm.
A barbecue gas bottle had been emptied inside the flat and something ignited the gas just as Const Quick, her two colleagues, and several firefighters, entered the property.
A 40-year-old man is facing 17 charges over the explosion.
He will face court on May 1.
