WHEN Anna De Renzis fell and broke her ankle in three places, it took four operations and three years for her to recover.

The York woman suffered another devastating blow when doctors told her the joint had been put through so much trauma that she would never be able to run or jump again – demolishing hopes of joining the army. She spent most of her days lying on the sofa feeling depressed.

But now she has bounced back after starting training with Viv Taylor, a personal trainer at PureGym York, and getting involved with a low impact sport which her ankle could cope with – cycling.

And her recovery has come on so well that she was recently able to take part in a 100 km York charity bike ride.

Anna, 31, of Lilbourne Drive, York, who has also lost 22lbs in body fat, raised £1,832 for charity with her team-mates through their participation in the Big Bad Bike Ride.

She said: “Working with Viv has been fantastic. Her ability to make our sessions different and interesting despite my restricted movement astounds me.

“Viv has been there for me when everything just seemed impossible and helped me realise how just keeping going and doing what you can is the key to achieving things you thought you couldn't.”

Viv said she took on board what Anna’s doctor and physiotherapist had advised to create workouts Anna was able to manage whilst keeping it interesting for her.

The training involved working on the static bikes, resistance training and building up the muscles in both legs, that had gone largely unused for so long.

PureGym York general manager Claire Hunter said: “It’s been fantastic to see the improvements Anna has made and the work Viv does with her really shows what a talented and supporting personal trainer she is to work with.”

The money raised by Anna and her team-mates went to Ataxia UK, a charity that helps people who suffer from the devastating neurological disease.