Proud mum that walked 100 miles with her baby in a sling celebrates raising money for charity

Being diagnosed with polycystic ovaries syndrome and told she would never have children at just 17-years-old, Laura Faulkner was determined to raise money for the cause close to her heart.

With last month marking awareness of the condition, Laura decided to carry her little one in a sling and brave a walk - totalling 100 miles, to raise over £600 for Verity, a leading charity supporting women affected.

Laura, 33, from Preston, said: "It was very tiring, especially with the baby in a sling. I would get back from walks and my back and legs would be really hurting. I have been sharing my fundraising page on social media ever since I decided to do the walk to raise money for Verity.

"I gave myself the entire month but ended up finishing five days early. The biggest walk I did was 10 miles in one day which was really tough whilst carrying the baby. If she wasn't happy in the sling it wasn't fair to do a walk, so her mood on the day depended on how far I walked.

"I did multiple laps round Haslam park and often walked along the canal and scenic routes. Verity are overwhelmed by the money raised."

The mum-of-two is a volunteer and runs a support group for Verity supporting other ladies diagnosed with the incurable Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome.

After her fundraising efforts, she has now been promoted by the charity to information production manager, running their online blog and encouraging other women to tell their honest stories of living with the condition.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is when a woman has small cysts located just below the surface of the ovaries. These cysts are egg-containing follicles that have not developed properly due to a number of hormonal abnormalities. It affects up to 10 per cent of women in the UK and millions more worldwide.

Laura said: "I have raised £630 for Verity and the publicity has led to more than 20 new members joining my Lancashire self help group, which is truly amazing.

"I also ran a raffle with another group leader as a fundraiser and we raised an additional £122 for the charity. I have had so many messages of support from people and some very generous donations.

"The charity haven't got an income and it is ran completely by volunteers. I want to do this to raise awareness and some money to support them to help with printing of posters, advertisements and their yearly conferences."

Previously, Laura told the Post that she had been volunteering for the charity for more than seven years to continue giving advice and support to other women who were told they wouldn't ever have children.

"I have been a PCOS sufferer for over 15 years. It’s taken me this long to overcome the embarrassment and insecurity the symptoms have caused me and to accept that although PCOS is treatable, it cannot be cured," she said.

"I was told that I could never have children which was so shocking at that young age. I have been very lucky to be able to have two daughters, but I know how it feels to be told you may never have any children of your own."

Donations can still be made to her Just Giving page, that currently sits at 630 per cent of her original target of £100.