GRATEFUL Laura Burks held a fundraising event to say thank you to the hospital staff who helped her survive severe pneumonia and swine flu.

Laura, 30, was admitted to intensive care at the Great Western Hospital on New Year’s Day 2011 and says the doctors and nurses saved her life.

To say thank you Laura, from Stratton, will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the Great Western Hospital – in particular, those on Saturn Ward.

And to boost sponsorship funds, on Saturday she held a raffle and cake sale at the Orbital Retail Park, outside Boots, where her mother Karen Turner works as a customer adviser.

The raffle prizes included guest passes for the Empire Cinema, a makeover and a Harvester meal for two.

Laura said: “I wanted to raise as much money as possible for the hospital, which basically saved my life.

“The raffle was great. We had some fantastic help from my family and friends and the response was great.”

The day raised about £800, including three large corporate donations towards her marathon sponsorship. Laura plans to hold a silent auction to generate further funds later in the year.

To sponsor Laura, visit www.justgiving.com/LauraBurks.