A CROWLAND woman who has bravely fought a stroke-like disability saw off thousands of entrants to pick up a national award.
Ann Smith (61) made remarkable progress from being wheelchair bound last year, thanks to the efforts of Kimberley Wilson, Cheryl Ingleby and staff from Harpers Fitness based at the Castle Sports Complex.
Her fantastic prizes include £3,000 and lif
etime gym membership, while Physique health group is also sending Ann a fully commercial Life Fitness recumbent bike for home use.
She was chosen to go forward to the final of the Harpers Heroes awards at the prestigious Bisham Abbey.
And there were tears, cheers and a standing ovation as her name was read out by Richard Millman, Leisure Connection chief executive, which operates Harpers Fitness.
Ann's story impressed the judges because it was a shining example of triumph over tragedy and showed how her determination, hard work and commitment allowed her to regain her life.
In May last year Ann suffered a stroke-like neurological attack which affected the right side of her body and vastly affected her activity levels, which until then were high.
She then started having fits and five months later, despite weekly physiotherapy sessions, she was still wheelchair-bound.
But a ten-week GP exercise referral scheme proved to be the move Ann needed, and she and husband Paul both enrolled soon afterwards,
Her training and mobility developed to the point where Ann can now walk for a kilometre with no hands on the treadmill.
Speaking afterwards, Ann, who hopes to go on a cruise with the money, said:"I was very surprised and overwhelmed by the award.Life is so much better in every respect now.
"I can't emphasise enough how helpful the people at the Castle Sports Complex have been. It's a very nice atmosphere in which to get better."
