A teenager from Penryn who has endured three years of surgery on her heart and legs is tackling her next challenge – a half marathon for the Wave Project.

Charlotte Weston, aged 17, is running the Eden half marathon on Sunday, October 18, despite undergoing five major surgeries since 2012. The determined teenager wants to use the 13 mile run to raise money for the Wave Project, which has worked with her since she first went into hospital for heart surgery.

Charlotte said: “The Wave Project has done so much for me that I wanted to give something back to them. The charity has given me the motivation to overcome my challenges, improve my confidence and make new friends whilst having fun in the sea. They have taught me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and that's why I have decided to fundraise for them.”

Charlotte, who studies marine biology at Falmouth Marine School, said she would never have dreamed of tackling a challenge like the Eden half a few years ago. She underwent heart surgery at Bristol Children’s Hospital in 2012 when a tube was inserted into her heart and a pacemaker fitted to control an irregular heartbeat.

Then in September 2013, Charlotte had to undergo surgery to correct a condition in her legs known as rotational femoral anteversion. This involved doctors cutting into her leg and hip, rotating the femur outwards and pinning it back together.

The following May, Charlotte was back in hospital to have the same procedure performed on her other leg. Finally, at the end of May 2014, surgeons removed the muscle tissue from her legs again to repair the pins in them. Throughout this period, Charlotte continued to go surfing with the Wave Project, which she said helped to keep her positive.

“Seeing hundreds of other young people with exceptional challenges surf waves into the shore with a massive smile on their face has motivated me to learn to run for the first time so that the charity can help more people,” she said.

“My training has involved many months of painful physiotherapy and pushing myself to my absolute limits but every second will be worth it when I cross the finish line. The Wave Project does phenomenal things for people and I am so proud to be giving something back to them."

Charlotte now volunteers with the charity, helping other young people, and has already raised over £500 from her half marathon. To support her, you can sponsor Charlotte online at www.waveproject.co.uk/fundraisers/charlotteweston.