A STROKE survivor from Skipton whose life was saved by surgeons in a six-hour operation was joined by her best friend for a 28-mile charity walk.

Donna Hawkins and her friend of 30 years Janet Underwood, of Hellifield, walked for almost 12 hours along the canal towpath from Skipton to Salterforth and back.

And the pair's efforts have so far helped to raise almost £1,100 for the Stroke Association.

Donna, who is an optical assistant at Vision Express in Skipton, said: "We left Skipton at 6.30 in the morning. It was raining for much of the walk and it was a very hard slog, but we both really enjoyed the experience. It was fantastic when we finished!"

Donna, 50, also had her head shaved for the Stroke Association at the Cock and Bottle pub in Skipton earlier this year.

She was also nominated in the associations's 'Life after Stroke' awards in the 'Fundraiser of the Year' category.

It is more than four years since Donna was taken to Airedale Hospital after collapsing at work. Realising she needed an immediate operation, hospital staff had her rushed to Leeds General Infirmary, where surgeons operated. She was told later that she had had just one hour to live.

Donna's fundraising efforts for the Stroke Association are continuing - anyone wishing to donate can do so at: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/donnahawkins1