Warsop mum told she would never have children walking 100 miles with her baby for charity

Laura Faulkner is undertaking the walk to mark Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) awareness month this September. PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility and affects one in 10 women of childbearing age, leading to difficulty getting pregnant and can lead to additional health problems later in life.

PCOS can also affect a woman’s appearance, which in turn can affect a woman’s confidence and self-esteem.

Laura said: “I was diagnosed with PCOS aged 17 and told I would never have my own children.

"I was lucky enough to be blessed with two children when I married my husband, but I'm raising money and awareness for those families that are not so lucky.

“I'm doing this so that the charity can contribute to support them, especially through these very difficult circumstances.

“This is a cause that is close to my heart as I have been a PCOS sufferer for over 15 years.

"It’s taken me this long to overcome the embarrassment and insecurity the symptoms have caused me and to accept that although PCOS is treatable, it cannot be cured.”

Laura is raising money for Verity, a charity that shares the truth about the condition and improves the lives of women living with PCOS.

The charity is run by a dedicated board of trustees, a team of volunteers, and thousands of women in the UK and internationally.

Laura has been a volunteer and group leader for Verity in Lancashire for seven years after moving to Preston, but is also supporting the Nottinghamshire branch of the charity with her fundraiser.

“I am a Warsop girl, although I have moved to Preston,” Laura said.

"We are currently in a local lockdown but we are usually back home in Warsop quite a lot to be with our family so when the lockdown is lifted I will be doing some of my charity walks around Warsop and Mansfield.”

PCOS is the name given to a condition where a woman has small cysts usually no bigger than eight millimetres each, located just below the surface of the ovaries.

These cysts are egg-containing follicles that have not developed properly due to a number of hormonal abnormalities.

Laura has already raised £178 for Verity, and wants to prove that PCOS does not have to impact day-to-day life.

She said: “My biggest fear from the day I was diagnosed still remains, which is the reason I looked for this support group in the first place.

"I am worried about infertility and fertility problems in the future, like many other women with PCOS.

"It’s fantastic to read the inspiring stories as case studies of ladies who have been in my shoes.

"It takes the edge of the negative thoughts I have and gives me lots of hope, which I’d like to start to share with other people who need it.

To support Laura on her journey, visit her fundraiser here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-faulkner-walk.

To find out more about Verity Nottinghamshire, visit: www.verity-pcos.org.uk.