Laura Crane

Since the age of 14 Laura has been a member of Bexley Athletic Club. She was diagnosed with a rare life-threatening condition, Weneger's Granulomatosis, when she was 18. She was seriously ill undergoing extensive treatment including chemotherapy. Although her illness has left her deaf in one year Laura never complains but instead always goes out of her way to help others. She has since returned to athletics, training and representing the club in competitions. However, what makes Laura special is the amount of time she gives to support the youngsters in the club. About 18 months ago, 2 years after her diagnosis , Laura became an athletics coach. She has taken on responsibility for coaching under-11 children every Sunday morning on a voluntary basis. She has transformed the coaching group and is now lead coach for about 20 youngsters between 7 - 9 years old, who turn up every week, no matter the weather. They have no idea about her illness and that she must take a cocktail of drugs, attend hospital regularly and undergo operations for the side-effects of the illness. To them she is just Laura who inspires them to do their best at running, jumping and throwing. When her illness returned last year she had to undergo further chemotherapy but she still coached every Sunday, as usual, without letting anyone know of the challenges she was facing Laura not only makes a difference to the lives of youngsters but her courage is an inspiration to all who know her.