A NEWPORT cycle speedway club has been the latest group involved in a £9,000 fundraising attempt to bring a local paralysed woman home from hospital.

Karen Walters, 37, was left paralysed from the neck down after suffering a devastating stroke in October last year and now can only communicate through head movements and blinking.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, her family have been desperately trying to raise enough money to adapt the family house in Llanmartin so she can be cared for at home.

Now cycle speedway club the Underwood Flyers has donated £500 to the Bring Karen Home Fund after a sponsored bike ride over the old Severn Bridge and back on Saturday, August 30.

Karen’s niece, Jamie-Lea Walters is a former under 13 cycle speedway British champion and joined children from as young as six to complete the charity ride.

Secretary of the cycle club, Chris Wright, said: “We are over the moon with the final total, which came to £997.40 and we rounded up to £1,000. We decided half of the money would be donated to Karen’s fund.

“We would like say a special thanks to local residents for supporting our club and the Bring Karen Home Fund.”

For Karen’s family, the battle to bring her home from Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff has become even clearer after the work needed to adapt the house has been quoted at £44,000.

Karen’s sister, Ceri Walters told the Argus: “We have been offered a grant of £35,000 but can only receive the money if we can raise the rest, which means raising £9,000.

“So far we have raised just under £2,500 after the coffee morning and sponsored bike rides. But we are still trying to raise more with a sponsored walk or another bike ride.”

The Underwood Flyers, which is linked with organisation British Cycling, welcomed 26 riders at the Chepstow side of the bridge before making the journey.

Members of the cycling club as well as Karen’s family were invited to our annual club night, which saw a presentation of the funds.

Those interested in donating or finding out about more upcoming fundraising events can contact Kerry Bennett on 07730 770194.