WHILE Sunday will be the third time Rebecca Griffin has completed the Great North Run, her involvement in this year’s event will mark a remarkable turnaround in her life.

For the 22-year-old, of Castle Road, aims to run the entire 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields after being pushed around in a wheelchair for most of the course in both 2012 and 2013.

Rebecca was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome ME six years ago and was largely reliant on supportive family members to assist her on a daily basis.

But Rebecca remained positive throughout the illness and her determination has paid off, no longer needing the aid of the wheelchair as she is fighting her way back to full fitness.

She has set herself the goal of running each step of the half marathon, which was unthinkable to her during her battle with ME.

In the 2012 event, she managed to walk one mile in stages and she improved that figure when she strode five miles in 2013 in between stints in the wheelchair, pushed by her mother Janette.

Now she is confident she can go the full journey, her father Paul supporting her along the way.

She said: “When I was at school, I did a lot of sports like netball, hockey, trampolining and dancing, but then I went back after the summer and I just couldn‘t manage them any more. I had unbelievable fatigue and weakness, had no strength, pains in the legs, and everything just started to get tough.

”It was a massive adjustment for me and for a long time I was really down, and I didn’t go out and I didn‘t want to accept I needed to use a wheelchair. I had to be carried up stairs and I couldn‘t bathe by myself, and, even though I was 18, my family had to look after me like I was a toddler.

“But once I got over my pride and stopped caring about what others may think, I was more positive about things and using the wheelchair.

”I went on a sailing trip around the west coast of Scotland in 2012 and I started walking on the boat, and that gave me the push to start increasing my walking and I started to use the wheelchair less and less.

“In the same year, I was volunteering for The Association of Young People with ME (AYME) and that was a massive part of my recovery, trying to help others, so I decided to do the GNR to raise money for them.

”Even though I was in a wheelchair, it was a big deal for me and it was a big physical challenge to sit in the wheelchair for so long.

”My mam pushed me and it took four-and-a-half hours, but I walked a total of one mile in stages and it was just a great feeling and I was absolutely over the moon.

“That was such a confidence boost and I managed five miles the next year, and the huge improvement I had made in just a year made me determined to run it all one year.

”I can’t believe I‘m ready to run it as I thought it would be at least 10 years off. I ran 13 miles a few weeks ago with my dad, so it‘s a case of doing it on Sunday now.

“I’m really excited for it especially as this point two years ago I wouldn‘t have been able to walk it never mind run it!”

Rebecca will run the event just seven days on from returning from a five week visit of Africa.

She spent two weeks gaining midwifery experience in Tanzania with medical work experience organisation Gap Medics, following on from a similar two week stint in Thailand the previous year.

Her dedication has helped her gain a much sought after place on a midwifery degree course at the University of York, which starts in two weeks.

She said: “I never thought I would get in as there are over 1,000 applicants for just 23 places, so that feels like another big achievement for me.

”It’s been a long time coming as I went to an open day three years ago but the lecturer told me not to apply and wait until I was fully fit. I left crying and devastated.

”But I’m really pleased she did because I have done so much in that time, going to Thailand and Africa which I‘m certain got me my place.

“I’ve seen so much and learned so much from those experiences that I feel I‘m definitely ready for university.

”In Thailand, I saw 19 babies being born and the experience was more observational, while it was more hands-on in Africa and we got to hold the babies.

”Having depended on people a lot for years, the chance to go out there on my own and do something completely by myself was so satisfying and I‘m now really excited for moving out and going to university.“

Rebecca’s remarkable transformation from where she was six years ago has been life changing.

She said: ”It sounds weird to say I am grateful I was ill, but I have learned a lot and I wouldn‘t have had all the opportunities I have had if not.

“Of course, it has been the toughest thing I have dealt with but it makes you appreciate all the little things.

”I’ve been to Thailand, Africa, canoed, bungee jumped and done so much, and I‘m so grateful because I don’t think I would have if I hadn‘t been ill. I don’t even think I would have pursued midwifery, so I‘m thankful for that too.”

Rebecca is doing the GNR to raise money for Action for Children. She has exceeded the £600 target through offline donations, but people can pledge their support online at www.justgiving.com/rebecca-griffin6.