FOR the whole of January, a Welshpool woman who has battled a brain tumour and serious health conditions that left her in a wheelchair, has been walking over 15 kilometres a day to raise money for charity.

Walking was originally part of her rehabilitation programme to help Laura get mobile again and she has been following a programme tailor made for her by staff at The Flash leisure centre, in Welshpool

By the end of January, Laura, 37, was doing so well she completed an incredible 20kilometres, a target that had been set by her instructor, Lorraine Lloyd.

Laura, said: “Since September, I have been attending The National Exercise Referral Scheme at the Flash.

"This has helped me following the numerous treatments and operations I have had the previous years.

"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 15kms throughout January.

"This was a big challenge for me and I am hoping to raise a small amount of money to donate to the two centres that have provided my treatment, one being the Lingen Davies Unit and the other The Neurological Unit in Stoke.”

Lorraine said that Laura’s efforts this month have been truly inspirational.

Originally she set her a target of 10km on the treadmill, which then “sneakily upped to 15km”, but now we can reveal that she is set to smash an amazing 20km.

Lorraine, said: “Laura was so determined that I thought 10km would be too easy.”

"She joined The National Exercise Referral Scheme at the Flash just over 16 weeks ago.

"On that first day Laura’s challenge was to walk for one minute on the treadmill.

"This was a terrifying ordeal for her, but with me right behind her she did it.

"She has attended the gym twice a week now and 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.

"Through shear grit and determination, pain, laughter and tears she has given it her all, she is much much stronger now, more confident in herself and in her ability to do things herself.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laurawilkinswalk