A Scots schoolgirl has overcome a near-lethal bout of strep A pneumonia to walk more than 50 miles in a month to raise funds for the hospital that saved her.
Along with mum Zahra Talakshi, little Eira walked, ran and cycled over 60 miles as part of the 100 Mile May challenge. They undertook the challenge in support of the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity and Save the Children.
Zahra aimed for 100 miles while Eira aimed for 50 – and both cleared their targets by some margin, raising almost £1,500 in the process. Glasgow Live reports that Eira, seven, overcame a strep A infection just weeks ago that had left her family fearing the worst.
The Shawlands schoolgirl was in hospital for two weeks after the pneumonia progressed to empyema – leaving her lungs full of fluid. Zahra could only watch as her daughter had drains inserted into her chest for five days before she was able to recover.
The pair then decided to give back by undertaking the fundraising challenge last month. Funds will be split equally between the hospital charity – formerly known as Yorkhill Children's Charity – and Save the Children's Pneumonia Fund.
Writing on the duo's fundraising page, Zahra said: "She was so well supported at our GP practice initially, then the QEUH A&E and each of the three wards we were in. There was never any doubt in my mind that she was in the best hands, with world-class treatment and a whole lot of love and care.
"I've always felt lucky to have a National Health Service, but never more so than when I learned that pneumonia is actually the leading cause of death in under fives globally and one person dies from it every 13 seconds."
She added that she was "so proud" of Eira for exceeding her goal so soon after being treated in hospital. "Thank you everyone for your support, it really kept us going and will be appreciated by our chosen charities," she said.
Donors to the duo's fundraising page have praised the youngster for her indomitable spirit. One wrote: "You are inspirational: Eira, for all you’ve overcome to succeed."
Another added: "Well done both of you and well done Eira for being so brave when you were ill."
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