Annette Oliver (64), alongside a group of friends and colleagues from Read School, Drax embarked on an ambitious 10K walk around Castle Bolton in Leyburn, to raise funds for SSAFA, the armed forces.

Head of Sixth Form, Annette, experienced a catastrophic blow to her health last year, after she lost the circulation in her lower right leg. The loss of circulation in Annette's right leg was as a result of several blood clots - however, the cause of these blood clots remains a mystery as Annette does not suffer from diabetes, heart disease and has never smoked.

Annette underwent several gruelling operations, but unfortunately the operations were unsuccessful. Annette therefore took the incredibly brave decision to have her leg amputated in November 2024, in an attempt to regain control of the extreme pain she was experiencing.

"I was in almost constant pain and didn’t really sleep for a year," Annette explained.  "We had tried everything and there was nothing else that could be done, so, I decided to stop fighting the battle and start again."

Annette told her colleagues yesterday "everyone in the hospital looked in horror when I told my consultant to just throw my leg in the bin – but the amount of pain I had been through up to the point was so severe it was the best decision I could have ever made. Ironically, if I had tried to keep my leg, I would not have been able to do this walk. It is incredible to think how much of a difference this prosthetic has made."

Annette received her first temporary prosthetic leg just four weeks ago – and will eventually receive a specially fitted prosthetic leg in a few weeks, once she has adjusted to life with a prosthetic. Enthused by the pain relief Annette’s amputation brought, Annette came up with her ambitious plan to undertake a sponsored walk – determined to not be held back for long.

Annette, who also leads the RAF Section of Read School’s CCF, planned her walk as a fundraising event for SSAFA alongside her colleague and leader of Read School CCF, Sarah Rothwell. The route undertaken was meant to be much more friendly for wheelchairs and those with limited mobility. However, when Annette and her team turned up, they found an incredibly slippy and rocky course, which went across bridges, streams, country roads, and hills with very steep paths. The course even culminated in a steep incline as the team crossed the finish line at Bolton Castle.

Unphased, Annette continued on regardless, smiling and joking throughout the event.

Annette told us:

“It was so good to be ‘back in the game’ and out walking under my own steam. Supporting SSAFA is so important to me – our forces have given so much and suffered so greatly – they are an inspiration when faced with such adversity. I couldn’t have achieved this walk without the support of such amazing friends along the way – today was an amazing day! Thank you to everyone who sponsored us, and to those who haven’t – there is still time!”

"There’s definitely more life after an amputation. This is not the end; it is very much the beginning. I am not worrying about what’s gone but embracing what’s to come. I would never have dreamt of doing a half-marathon before, but now I am thinking I might. It is bizarre – losing a limb makes me want to push myself further. I want to get back into open water swimming and potentially look at doing the Great North Swim in Windermere again."

A spokesperson for Read School, Drax stated: 

“Annette has always been a source of inspiration for everyone in the Read School community – both pupils and colleagues alike. Her determination and courage in the face of such extreme adversity is remarkable, and cannot be understated. Annette refused to be set back by the many operations she underwent, constantly looking for ways to support and look after her students, even in the worst moments of her illness. It is breathtaking to see Annette undertaking such a huge and gruelling challenge, only four weeks after receiving her temporary prosthetic. We are incredibly proud of Annette and everything she has achieved.” 

To date, Annette has raised a remarkable £1000 for SSAFA, with more donations to follow.

Being someone who never rests on her laurels, Annette is already planning her next ambitious challenge –  so watch this space for her next adventure!

Annette’s fundraising link can be found below:

www.justgiving.com/page/sarah-rothwell-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Further coverage of Annette's story can be read on the York Press website, here:

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/25036749.annette-oliver-walk-ssafa-amputation/