BIG-HEARTED Stourbridge gym members have handed over a cheque for £19,000 after completing a mountainous charity challenge to help raise funds for a brave Stourbridge mum's recovery.

Gym-goers from Stourbridge Lawn Tennis and Squash Club took part in the gruelling 3 Peaks Challenge to raise funds to help fellow gym member Deb Drew, who nearly drowned when she tried to rescue a young boy in heavy surf at Woolacombe, North Devon.

Courageous mum-of-two Deb has gone on to make a remarkable recovery since the incident in August 2014, which left her in a coma for five months, and she was able to return to her Oldswinford home in August 2018 after it was adapted. But she remains heavily reliant on ongoing rehabilitation support and technology to live as independently as possible.

To help raise money for her continuing care and smart technology to assist her - Deb's friends from the club challenged themselves to climb the peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon - all within 24 hours.

Despite terrible weather conditions, all 24 walkers – backed by three drivers - completed all three peaks, although wet roads and bad visibility meant the challenge was completed in 28 hours rather than the hoped for 24.

Team member Sarah Davis said: "Due to the weather, it was the hardest physical challenge I've ever taken part in and I've done a lot of walking since my teens."

The determined group, however, smashed their initial fundraising target of £10,000 and have now presented former pharmaceutical rep Deb, who was vice-chairman of the tennis club, with a cheque for £19,000 which has bought a state-of-the-art bed with massage options plus a portable ramp to enable wheelchair-bound Deb to access other properties.

Remaining funds will be spent on physiotherapy and massage therapy and other electronic devices to support and enhance Deb's quality of life.

Sarah said of Deb's determination to return home and gain as much independence as possible: "We are all so proud of her grit and determination to over come her disabilities."

Anyone wishing to boost the team's fundraising efforts can still do so online at https://www.gofundme.com/deb-drew-fund-3-peaks-challenge which is still live.

It is not known what happened to the nine-year-old boy after he was pulled from the water unconscious, although he is believed to have survived his ordeal.