Staff nurse Melissa Hall was so proud of health care assistant Sarah - calling her a "true inspiration to everyone in the department" she asked us to cover her amazing story, from huge weight losses to running in London last weekend.

"My name is Sarah Uttley, and I have worked for the Trust since last March as a Health Care in the eye clinic.

I decided to try and get into the London Marathon through the ballot, not expecting to get a place at all. I just left it and then in October last year that letter dropped through my letter box, saying congratulations you are in. I can't say what my response was!

I decided then that I was going to raise money for the guide dogs for the blind, mainly because as a family we sponsor dogs. Plus I was doing it in memory of my Mum who we lost suddenly 18 months ago.

I have raised £1300 so far and am still collecting, so hoping my final tally will be around £1500.

The whole weekend was amazing from start to finish. I had decided when I was training that it wasn't about doing it within a certain time scale - I just wanted to finish.

I started my training seriously after Christmas and I was feeling stronger and more confident. Losing weight has helped as over the past year I have lost more than seven stones. I have done this by joining my local weight watchers group and I love it. I actually started my weight loss journey six years ago, and since then have lost 15 stones. I would of never have thought all those years ago that I would run a marathon. 

On the day I felt sick, excited and very nervous. I was worried about the heat as it was the hottest Marathon on record, but I knew I was as ready as I could be and I was doing this for my Mum.

It took 42 minutes to get to the start line but once I got there I was ready, so I started feeling pretty good, and the crowds were amazing. They definitely help to get you through it, and I just carried on at my own pace feeling proud of what I was achieving knowing that all my friends and family at home were watching and tracking me, routing for me to finish.

The best bit for me was running across that finish line, the emotions I felt was unexplainable. 

I was proud of what I had just done and I was sad because I couldn't share it with my mum (although I know she was with me). I was in pain and my legs were like jelly. The worse bit was definitely the last mile and half - it felt like 10 miles and at this point I got a text saying you are nearly there, not long left. My time was 6 hours 1 min and 5 seconds, which I am proud of as it was my first ever marathon and I ran so much more of it than I expected to do, I was so determined on the day to do my best not just for myself but all the people that had sponsored me and my friends and family that have been with me throughout my journey, as the last 18 months have been the hardest and most testing of times.

I loved the whole experience. If you had asked me this time last week I would have probably said never again, but after doing it I will be trying to get a place for next year, and I am planning on doing a half marathon in a couple of weeks.

So if you are new to running, just set yourself some goals and stick with them"

Melissa said: "I'd like share a story of one of our health care assistants. She has gone onto lose over 7 stone in weight and has registered for the London marathon 2018. So far she has managed to raise over £700 for the guide dog association. She works in the eye clinic at Acre Mills. I think she has been a true inspiration to all the staff here in the department. I would love for her story to be shared with the rest of the trust."