Laura walking her way back to full fitness after ill health
Laura Wilkins has taken her first steps to recovery following serious illness.
And now she has completed the final ones of a challenge she set herself with 100 supporters walking by her side.
The determined 37-year old from Welshpool suffered a brain tumour followed by a stroke, which left her in a wheelchair.
Last September she joined the The National Exercise Referral Scheme at the Flash Leisure Centre in the town and began the journey to get back on her feet again.
From struggling to walk just a few steps, Laura began to make progress on the treadmill in the gym and was set a challenge by the exercise referral trainer, Lorraine Lloyd, to walk 15 kilometres in January.
Doing just a few minutes at a time, Laura broke through her target and went on to complete 20km raising money for the Lingen Davies Cancer Unit in Shrewsbury and the Neurological Unit, Stoke.
On Wednesday, she walked the final 500 metres in the sports hall, joined by 100 other leisure centre users who have been inspired by her determination and supported her challenge.
She said: “As my walking is getting better and I am spending more time out of my wheelchair I was challenged by my instructor Lorraine Lloyd to walk 15km throughout January.
"It was a big challenge for me and I wanted to raise a small amount of money to donate to the two centres that have provided my treatment."
Lorraine Lloyd, who was awarded a British Empire Medal for helping people exercise their way to health, said Laura was an inspiration to everyone.
“Laura joined the scheme at the Flash just over 16 weeks ago. On her first day her challenge was to walk for one minute on the treadmill. It was a terrifying ordeal for her, but she did it.
“She attends the gym twice a week and has got stronger and stronger, building in confidence and lighting up the gym with her beaming smile and lots of laughter with her new found gym buddies.
"Everyone has been supporting her and the final 500 metres of her 20k was incredibly emotional. We had a coffee morning before the walk and although we haven't finished counting she has smashed her fundraising target."
Laura said everyone had been incredibly supportive, in particular her gym buddie, Annie Ford.
Ms Lloyd said: "They both joined the scheme with me at the same time and just had so much in common it was a perfect match to work at improving their health and well-being together. It is lovely to see their great support for each other."
Anyone who wants to support Laura can do so by visiting: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laurawilkinswalk
