An ‘amazing’ 96-year-old woman will be starting a charity walk for the hospital that helped her learn to walk again after her spinal cord injury.

Mary Tye, from Claygate, will begin the Buttercup Walk, in aid of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) this Sunday, June 25, at noon.

She broke her neck in 2008 and wants to take this opportunity to thank the staff for the received surgery and rehabilitation she received.

Mary said: “You should never let life get you down. Just keep your head held high and focus on what’s important: living life to the full.

“I am participating in the Buttercup Walk for RNOH because I want to pay tribute to my multidisciplinary team.

“Since my admission and treatment eight and a half years ago, my whole team encouraged me to walk again. It seemed impossible at the time. I surpassed all expectations for my condition. I pressed on regardless.

“I want to inspire others to persevere with their rehabilitation. Just keep saying ‘I can and I will’.”

She has so far raised nearly £1,000, smashing her initial £500 target.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to leading the walkers on Sunday. It’s going to take all my energy but I want to show other spinal cord injured patients that if I can do it then they can too.”

Money raised by the Buttercup Walk will be distributed across the hospital, improving facilities and patient care.

Last year’s event raised enough money to buy a new ultrasound machine for babies and young infants, allowing RNOH to set up a dedicated baby hips clinic.

Mary’s daughter Leonora will be at her side at the start of this year’s walk despite breaking her foot last week.

Leonora said: “Mum’s got the most amazing positive attitude which inspires me on a daily basis. She’s lived through World War Two, and as an architect she used her skills in helping the war effort in the RADAR unit which tracked enemy aircraft – an integral part of the national air defence strategy.

“We are immensely proud that she is focusing on helping other people at her time in life. She’s an absolute star.”