A SANDHURST woman who was ‘fighting for her life’ just weeks ago is now up on her feet and raising money for Frimley Park Hospital.

Karen Peart, who has cystic fibrosis, is taking part in ‘the 2.6 challenge’ — a fundraiser set up in place of the cancelled London marathon — in order to raise money for the expansion of the cystic fibrosis ward at Frimley Park.

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The 53-year-old mother-of-one will be taking 26 steps every day around her hospital room despite being seriously ill with a severe chest infection just weeks ago.

Having initially gone in for a blood test at the end of March, it was soon discovered Karen’s oxygen levels were “dangerously low” and soon after her condition “really went downhill.”

Chris Peart, her husband, told the News: “She’s been fighting for her life for the last few years and it’s gradually got worse.

“She’s only been out of the hospital for five weeks of this year so far.

“The doctors said they were not sure she was going to pull through.”

Thankfully, Karen is feeling better now having back transferred from a medical acute dependency unit where coronavirus patients were being treated to the cystic fibrosis ward.

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Chris was full of praise for the “unbelievable” care the cystic fibrosis team provides and said it was a “testament” to the hospital and their procedures Karen did not catch coronavirus before being moved units.

She is now being weaned off a ventilator which was helping to reduce her carbon dioxide levels.

Karen is currently recovering and since April 26 has been raising money for the expansion of Frimley Park cystic fibrosis unit so the unit hospital can double its beds from five to ten.

Despite setting herself a daily ‘26 step alternative marathon challenge’ Karen has gone above and beyond and in the past week, she has taken more than 1,500 steps altogether.

Chris added: “Karen being Karen she always thinks of others before of herself.

“She said while I’m in the hospital I might as well do something constructive and give something back.

“[When she started] it was quite a challenge for her as she was still on the ventilator quite a lot.

“She’s in her room just walking around it.

“She’s a fighter and she’ll always keep fighting.

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“As soon as she felt like she was feeling better, this was the first thing she decided to do. It makes you really proud.”

So far, Karen has raised £1,080 from a £260 target. You can view her JustGiving page here. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karen-peart2?fbclid=IwAR2XkuAr6HghHOYdFHeNNkHUbkIadaTkbkxR5BHqkyiVYWxPbVVbf-bD1T0