A fundraising appeal has been launched to help fund a prosthetic blade for a Stevenage PE teacher who had to have her leg amputated after a wall collapsed on her during a storm.

Lauren Cooper had ventured outside during Storm Eunice in February last year to check on the condition of her car, having already lost part of her garden wall due to the storm.

Unknown to Lauren, a brick wall behind her was also unstable and it collapsed, knocking Lauren over and crushing part of her left leg.

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A keen netball player, Lauren had to have her left leg amputated below the knee, and then physiotherapy to learn to walk again, using her new prosthetic leg.

She explained previously: "I’m an active person - a PE teacher, netball player and hiker, so I was devastated. It has been really difficult."

However, Lauren has made remarkable progress, even completing the 5k Rainbow Run in aid of the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity last October - just months after losing her leg.

Now,  her friends at Stevenage Storm Netball Club have launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for Lauren to have a prosthetic blade, so she can get back to playing the sport she loves.

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Friend Florrie Jones explained: "As a sporty person, by job and choice, Lauren was absolutely devastated [about the leg amputation].

"She was just a couple of weeks away from her [netball] umpiring assessment, which had already been delayed by Covid, and was due to start a coaching qualification. She thought she would never play again.

"Coming out of hospital, Lauren went on to do her coaching qualification, attending practicals in her wheelchair, before she got her first NHS prosthetic.

"Since getting the first prosthetic, she has pushed and pushed, determined to get back to umpiring and playing. The only thing now stopping her is her prosthetic.

"A running blade is the missing puzzle piece to get Lauren moving and help her on her journey back to court.

"With a blade costing around £2,000 to £3,000 and a socket approximately £5,000, we have set a target of £7,000 to hopefully cover the cost.

"Anything you can give, no matter how big or small, will be greatly appreciated."

To make a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/get-lauren-back-on-court-and-buy-her-a-blade.