A MUM from Monmouth whose story became the focus of a BBC TV programme has completed a 5k challenge, raising more than £1,000 for charity in the process.

Charlotte Fairlie and her friend and carer Sonia Cutter completed the 5k Cancer Research UK Race for Life on Sunday 15th July, and have so far raised £1,019 with more donations still to come in.

Charlotte suffered a stroke in 2014 after giving birth to her twin boys Teddy and Fox. She was in hospital for nine months and despite at one point being given a one per cent chance of survival, she pulled through.

Charlotte, her husband Rob and the twins became the focus of nationwide attention when the BBC programme, DIY SOS: The Big Build came to town, building a double storey rear extension, creating space for a physio room and en-suite wet room for Charlotte and an extra bedroom for a live in carer.

It was during one of her physiotherapy sessions at Morrello Clinic, Newport that the idea of entering was suggested by her nurse to give her something to aim for, and Charlotte trained unaided on a treadmill to build up to the challenge.

The achievement shows how far Charlotte has come, as she completed the route without stopping and without assistance. “This time last year there would be no way Charlotte would have been able to do this,” says Sonia.

Family and friends gathered to cheer the pair on, with Charlotte and Sonya finishing in a very respectable 1 hour 19 minutes.

Collection buckets for the fundraising appeal were located at the Gatehouse and the Cancer Research UK shop in Monmouth, and Kingdom Come in Abergavenny, while an online fundraising page has raised more than £700 alone.

Donations are still welcomed, by visiting fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/charlotte-and-sonia