Amputee plans marathon challenge

Clare was inspired to walk again by a puppy brought to her in hospital

A woman who woke from a coma to find both her legs had been amputated is planning to walk the London Marathon.

Clare Forbes, from Crawley, West Sussex, was 17 when she contracted a meningitis-related infection in March 2001 and fell into a five-month coma.

When faced with the prospect of learning to walk again, she initially gave up as she felt it was "hopeless".

Now she is training to walk the 26-mile race with the help of her family in the hope of raising money for charity.

Clare claims she was inspired to try to learn to walk again by a puppy that was brought to her in hospital during the months following her coma.

No matter how long it takes, I'm going to do it Clare Forbes

"That must have been the best present that I've ever had," she said.

"If Scamp weren't there, there would have been no reason for me to get out of bed."

At the time Clare fell into a coma, her mother Karen was told she would be left both mentally and physically handicapped.

She is overjoyed by the pace of her daughter's recovery but was still shocked when Clare told her she intended to enter the marathon.

"I was told she would never say 'Mum' again - I just can't believe it ," she said.

Clare, who is still undergoing medical treatment, says she is looking forward to race.

"No matter how long it takes, I'm going to do it," she said.