Horsforth athlete Serena Blackburn has scooped a bronze medal representing Great Britain in the prestigious Deaflympics held in China.

Competing in Taipei, Serena, 44, delivered an impressive performance in the women’s marathon category, finishing third behind her Swedish and Japanese opponents in just 4hrs, 3mins, 8secs.

Recent sportswoman of the year Serena, was earlier this year faced with the shattering prospect of not being able to attend the games when she struggled to raise the cash to fund her trip.

She approached Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People for help in raising enough money to secure a place in the games she had trained so hard for.

Serena said: “Without the help of Leeds Society and the generous donations from the public and local businesses, I really would not have been able to even take part.

“The Deaflympics are the pinnacle of any deaf athlete’s career, something which I had trained so hard for; so to come home with a bronze medal is really quite overwhelming.

“This was the hardest marathon I have ever done; my preparation started in the early hours before running in 34 degrees heat. The humidity was almost unbearable and by the end, my whole body ached, but it was so worth it and I would do it all over again.”

Taipei was the latest in a string of accomplishments for the runner, who has also won a bronze medal in Turkey in the First Deaf World Athletics Championships and in the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal, where she ran as part of a women’s team.

Rob Young, director of Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People, said: “Serena is a true inspiration to everyone and we’re all very proud of what she has accomplished. We strive so hard to help people with disabilities to achieve their ambitions and Serena is a shining example of how people can make their dreams a reality.”

Anyone who wants to help the Leeds Society continue funding Deaf and blind people’s dreams should contact James or Lindsey in the fundraising department on 0113 200 5271 or visit the website leedsdeafandblind.org.uk for more information or to donate online.