Just a few months before Sarah Wright was due to climb the three highest peaks in the UK, she suffered a serious knee injury whilst skiing and had to be taken to hospital via the ski rescue team and then ambulance. She returned home on crutches with damage to her knee ligaments and her Three Peaks Challenge looking very unlikely to happen.

Sarah, 52 and who works for Essex Police, said: “I was referred to a knee surgeon and surgery was an option, but I didn’t want to rush into an operation there and then. However, it didn’t feel great. I’d lost confidence and was unable to run.”

It was then she was told about the community physiotherapy service, run by Colchester-based community healthcare provider, Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE).

“I saw Anna Cooper at ACE who carried out a very thorough examination of my knee. I explained about my Three Peaks Challenge and she referred me to a special class for leg injuries run by the ACE physiotherapy team at Colchester Leisure World. It was absolutely brilliant. There were only four of us in the class and two physios, Matt Aylott and Scott Burgoyne. The treatment and exercises were tailored to my injury and, after six weeks, my confidence returned and I was running again. After the six-week class, I carried on with the exercises given to me by the team and my condition got better and better, to the point I was able to compete in the Three Peaks Challenge.

“There were 23 of us in our Special Constabulary team of volunteer police officers and though I was one of the oldest, I completed it with no problems and didn’t feel a twinge from my knee. I would never have thought that possible when I returned from skiing on crutches. ACE’s community physiotherapy service is absolutely amazing – I could never have done what I did without the help they gave me.

“I was due to see the surgeon later this month to further discuss the option of surgery but because of my success with the physio team,  I am going to cancel that appointment.”

The main charity to benefit from the £17,000 raised will be the Essex Police Special Constabulary Benevolent Fund, which supports volunteer officers both locally and nationally in times of crisis or financial need. The other ones are the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust and International Men’s Day.

Anna Cooper said: “Many congratulations to Sarah on the success of her challenge. It has been a pleasure to work with such a committed and motivated patient. The team is always grateful to hear about the successes of our service users!"

The ACE self-referral community physiotherapy service can be contacted on 03330 433966.