Brave Megan to take charity plunge

1:39pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

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A YOUNG sports fanatic who suffered a brain haemorrhage whilst swimming has vowed to return to the pool for charity.

Megan Cox, 13, is taking part in the Maidenhead Iron Man challenge on July 5 seven months after falling ill while swimming at Wycombe Sports Centre.

The challenge has three 10-minute challenges - a run, cycle and swim.

Mother Sandra Cox, 45, said: "You wouldn't meet a more determined 13 year old.

"She could have sat back and done nothing and still been in a wheelchair. I'm so proud of her. Sport is her life - that's what she wants to do."

Megan, of Church Road, Little Marlow, is raising money for the Starfish Swimming Club, attended by brother Elliot, 11, who suffers from autism.

The Wycombe High School pupil said: "I'm looking forward to it, it should be a good challenge.

"I'm just going to do the best I can and raise money for my brother's club."

Her mother said she was inspired by her daughter's recovery so soon after her haemorrhage.

She said: "She'd been swimming about half an hour and she had a really bad headache. She just collapsed in the pool medical room."

Mrs Cox said: "We were absolutely beside ourselves, panicking what was wrong. She was so sick. I was in shock and disbelief."

An MRI scan revealed she had suffered an arteriovenous malformation, a circulation defect which occurs in less than 1 per cent of the population.

Two days later, she was transferred to John Radcliffe Children's Hospital, Oxford and underwent brain surgery the next morning.

Megan was a regular swimmer at the pool with Wycombe District Swimming Club.

And she was determined to be active despite her having to use a wheelchair and joined Aces Wheelchair Basketball cClub.

Barbara Griffiths, head of the middle school at Wycombe High, said: "What's been really remarkable is that she's embraced her disability.

"She's taken on new sports, she's physically very active and she has coped really well in the school.

"Her level of maturity has been really impressive. We hope to have her full time in September and we are very proud of her."

Megan no longer has to use her wheelchair at home and is expected to make a full recovery.

To sponsor Megan contact event co-ordinator Julie Swann on 07740 308113 or e-mail thechick1@sky.com