Wrexham's Rachel Harry's 40th birthday challenge

Ten year's ago, Rachel Harry's family was told it was unlikely she would be able to walk or do simple tasks like sit up or feed herself when she suffered a hypoxic brain injury during the birth of her daughter Freya.

But, with the support of her family, fundraisers, and her nine-year-old Freya, Rachel has been living life to the fullest.

Rachel Harry with newborn Freya.

One of Rachel's favourite therapies is using the mechanical horse at the Clwyd Riding Centre for the Disabled in Llanfynydd, which itself has faced hardship during lockdown.

That is why her family is helping her to meet the challenge of walking 400 yards unaided to mark her 40th birthday - all to support the riding school.

Organiser of the fundraising page, Emma Jones said: "Rachel’s story is known to many people. In July 2012 Rachel gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl but tragically suffered a cardiac arrest due to an undetected blood clot, resulting in a hypoxic brain injury.

"Thankfully both Rachel and Freya lead a very happy life surrounded by loving family, loyal friends, who have stuck by and supported them throughout as well as fabulous new friends made in the last 9 years.

"Rachel celebrated her 30th birthday, as a successful hairdresser, newly pregnant with an afternoon tea at The Grosvenor Hotel, Chester. A decade on and celebrations are very different for everyone, Covid playing a big part in the plans and preparation as well as life changing events which have meant Rachel is just not able to do the things others take for granted.

"At 40 years old, Rachel will walk unaided for 400 yards to raise money for a charity that is very close to Rachel’s heart.

"The Clwyd Special Riding Centre provides disabled children and adults the opportunity to ride and visit horses in the most magnificent setting. Rachel visits the centre most weeks to ride the mechanical horse she has named Beauty. The exercise from this strengthens Rachel’s core and improves balance. It has been an enjoyable experience for Rachel and also for Freya when she gets the chance to watch her mummy during school holidays.

"The centre relies on charitable donations and volunteers to remain open and provide this amazing service."

Rachel with sister Emma, Freya and nephew Harry search for gems.

When Rachel, of Llwyn Onn in Wrexham, suffered the hypoxic brain injury she was given just two hours to live.

Specialists explained that no-one had survived such a massive trauma - massive blood clot, fatal heart attack, hypoxic brain injury in addition to major surgery.

Rachel's mum Karan said the sessions at the riding school have been so important to her progress.

Karan said: "She loves it at the riding centre, she has just been able to start going back. It's therapeutic, it strengthens her hips. She hasn't had that for 18 months.

"Rachel has one session a week and she's so different after it.

"Like lots of charitable organisations they have been struggling to function, they provide such a great serivce for the disabled community. It's amazing when you see the disabled kids and adults with the horses."

"We've got to thinking that as she's 40 in December we'd like Rachel to mark it in some way. It will show her progress and also it will be 10 years in July since she had Freya. So after seeing how well she walked, she was brilliant, we thought we'd help her to walk 400 yards for her 40th."

Support the campaign at https://gofund.me/af0504e5