In an incredible display of resilience and determination, Laura Collingwood from Paisley, who suffered a stroke in June at just 34 years old, has climbed Ben Nevis to raise more than £1,500 for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS). Her remarkable achievement came only six months after her life-altering experience. Laura, a dog handler for the Ministry of Defence, took on the challenging climb in December as a way to mark her recovery journey and prove her inner strength.
“I’m very stubborn,” Laura admitted. “I was determined to prove a point, even if it was just to myself.” Having climbed Ben Nevis previously during summer, she knew the physical toll it could take, but this time the challenge was magnified as she continued to recover from the stroke. Despite numbness on her right side and ongoing fatigue, Laura completed the climb in 12 hours—almost double the time it had taken her during her first ascent in warmer conditions.
The journey was far from easy. “It was brutal,” she shared. “My muscles ached, and I had to push through the fatigue that the stroke left me with.” However, her determination to make a difference for others battling similar conditions motivated her to keep going. Initially setting a fundraising goal of £1,000, Laura was overwhelmed by the support she received, with donations surpassing £1,700.
Louise MacLeod, community, events, and corporate fundraiser at CHSS, commended Laura’s effort. “To have suffered a stroke only a few months ago and take on Ben Nevis shows incredible strength and courage. The funds she raised will help us support the one in five people across Scotland living with chest, heart, and stroke conditions, as well as those with Long Covid.”
Laura’s stroke, caused by an artery dissection in her neck, has been a turning point in her life. While she is currently on a phased return to work and performing kennel duties, her sights are set on resuming her operational role soon. For Laura, the climb was about more than just reaching the summit—it was a statement of her resilience and an inspiring reminder that recovery, no matter how challenging, is possible.