GB High Jumper funding for Achilles Surgery

Hiya, my name is Laura Zialor and I'm an elite high jumper for Great Britain.

Whilst competing at the European Team championships in Poland last weekend, I ruptured my Achilles tendon. One of the worst injuries that can happen to an athlete.

I'm absolutely devastated, as High Jump is my whole life. I can't put into words how hard it's going to be to live without it for almost a year. But, I have accepted that it has happened, I am staying positive and putting all my thoughts and energy into how I can have the best recovery possible, so that I can get back to my life and my career, because being an athlete means everything to me.

Having the best recovery possible requires me to have surgery immediately. I have decided to go private to ensure that I am seen by a specialist in the field of power events/sports trauma injuries. This surgeon has been called the "king of tendons" and is considered one of the world's best sports surgeons. The surgery needs to be carried out AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if I'm to have any chance at recovering in time for the Olympic Games next year in Paris. Having a specialist is the only option to ensure I get back to the same level of fitness, strength and confidence I had pre-injury.

I've started this go fund me page to help with the cost of the surgery. I am a part-time supply teacher and since graduating from university have been balancing teaching with my athletics career. It's not easy balancing being a full-time athlete with working as a teacher to make a living, but I do what is necessary to allow me to compete at the level I do and live out my dreams. So not only has this injury affected my athletics career, but it has also affected my teaching career and therefore my source of income. Due to being a supply teacher (I will not have any sick pay as I am effectively self-employed). Therefore, whilst I am unable to work in schools due to limited mobility or compete, I will not be earning any money.

This injury has flipped my whole life upside down and that is why any help towards affording this surgery would mean the absolute world to me, even if it's just sharing this page I would be forever grateful.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.