Derby doctor with one kidney completes 15 half Ironmans
Her journey took her from the start line in Scotland to Devon, battling through Storm Floris, and ending with a homecoming finish in the Peak District.Dr Pragnell, who lives in Derbyshire, said her mother Aly Pragnell, 60, began to feel unwell while on a family holiday on 2023."She was bruising really easily and getting tired, she just wasn't herself it wasn't liker her at all - I always knew her as the fittest, healthiest woman."A blood test showed Mrs Pragnell, of Overton in Hampshire, had end-stage renal disease and "effectively no kidney function".She was taken to hospital where she started dialysis. After Dr Pragnell was confirmed as a match, surgery was lined up for them both.
After the surgeries were booked in, "intense work" took place for the mother and daughter to prepare for the procedure.Dr Pragnell said she had numerous doctor appointments before the surgery and kidney donation could take place.In the first four weeks post-op, Dr Pragnell said she could "barely do anything" but some time later following her recovery, began training for her 15-day challenge.Dr Pragnell said: "I knew I wanted to do everything I could to help get her life back."But I know mum would have done the same for me."
Dr Pragnell has some experience with mammoth physical challenges already. She has already taken on a "bonkers" 10-day triathlon challenge in 2022 which saw her climb the Three Peaks, swam England, Wales and Scotland's largest lakes, and cycled between the locations to raise money for Alzheimer's UK and St Michael's Hospice after they supported her grandparents.But during the challenge, Dr Pragnell learned one of her best friends, Emma Hodges, had been diagnosed with soft tissue cancer, sarcoma."She went through a really difficult year of treatment, lots of chemotherapy, big operations and then further chemotherapy," Dr Pragnell said."Then a year and a bit after she started her treatment she was able to ring the bell and she remains in remission today which is a testament to the amazing team of doctors looking after her and her own utter determination."It was from this, Emma's family "threw themselves in to fundraising" and Dr Pragnell decided she wanted to help raise money for the Sarcoma UK charity by taking on another challenge of 15 half-Ironmans in as many days.
Dr Pragnell admitted there were some tough moments during the momentous challenge but described the feeling of finishing as "pure euphoria".She added she "could not have done it" without the support of friends and family."Looking back now, it's been a massive whirlwind the last 15 days, I really enjoyed it," she said."The storm made it significantly less fun in the North Yorkshire Moors with massive headwinds and turning the water in what resembled a washing machine."The middle ones were a massive blur and I blinked and I realised I was on day 13. I went on to finish and I can't quite believe it, it's not properly sunk in yet."There were points where I looked to my incredible support team and said to them that I don't know if I can do this."But you do dig deep and find it from somewhere and just to remember why I'm doing it. I laughed more than I cried, so that's a win."Dr Pragnell has so far raised more than £7,000 for Sarcoma UK.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Derby doctor with one kidney completes 15 half Ironmans
A doctor who donated a kidney to help her mother has completed a gruelling challenge by swimming, cycling and running in 15 consecutive half-Ironmans. Meg Pragnell, an A&E doctor at Royal Derby Hospital, underwent surgery to have a kidney removed for daughter and mother made a full recovery, with Dr Pragnell going on to become a world record holder after finishing a 2km swim, a 90km bike ride, and a half marathon, everyday for 15 days across the UK's national 28-year-old said: "There were times where I felt like I wanted to give up but you dig deep and realise you have a bit more." Her journey took her from the start line in Scotland to Devon, battling through Storm Floris, and ending with a homecoming finish in the Peak Pragnell, who lives in Derbyshire, said her mother Aly Pragnell, 60, began to feel unwell while on a family holiday on 2023."She was bruising really easily and getting tired, she just wasn't herself it wasn't liker her at all - I always knew her as the fittest, healthiest woman."A blood test showed Mrs Pragnell, of Overton in Hampshire, had end-stage renal disease and "effectively no kidney function".She was taken to hospital where she started dialysis. After Dr Pragnell was confirmed as a match, surgery was lined up for them both. After the surgeries were booked in, "intense work" took place for the mother and daughter to prepare for the Pragnell said she had numerous doctor appointments before the surgery and kidney donation could take the first four weeks post-op, Dr Pragnell said she could "barely do anything" but some time later following her recovery, began training for her 15-day Pragnell said: "I knew I wanted to do everything I could to help get her life back."But I know mum would have done the same for me." Dr Pragnell has some experience with mammoth physical challenges already. She has already taken on a "bonkers" 10-day triathlon challenge in 2022 which saw her climb the Three Peaks, swam England, Wales and Scotland's largest lakes, and cycled between the locations to raise money for Alzheimer's UK and St Michael's Hospice after they supported her during the challenge, Dr Pragnell learned one of her best friends, Emma Hodges, had been diagnosed with soft tissue cancer, sarcoma."She went through a really difficult year of treatment, lots of chemotherapy, big operations and then further chemotherapy," Dr Pragnell said."Then a year and a bit after she started her treatment she was able to ring the bell and she remains in remission today which is a testament to the amazing team of doctors looking after her and her own utter determination."It was from this, Emma's family "threw themselves in to fundraising" and Dr Pragnell decided she wanted to help raise money for the Sarcoma UK charity by taking on another challenge of 15 half-Ironmans in as many days. Dr Pragnell admitted there were some tough moments during the momentous challenge but described the feeling of finishing as "pure euphoria".She added she "could not have done it" without the support of friends and family."Looking back now, it's been a massive whirlwind the last 15 days, I really enjoyed it," she said."The storm made it significantly less fun in the North Yorkshire Moors with massive headwinds and turning the water in what resembled a washing machine."The middle ones were a massive blur and I blinked and I realised I was on day 13. I went on to finish and I can't quite believe it, it's not properly sunk in yet."There were points where I looked to my incredible support team and said to them that I don't know if I can do this."But you do dig deep and find it from somewhere and just to remember why I'm doing it. I laughed more than I cried, so that's a win."Dr Pragnell has so far raised more than £7,000 for Sarcoma UK.
Daily Mirror
11-08-2025
- Daily Mirror
Dog owners need to be alert as toxic 'ear wax' lumps wash up on UK beaches
Chunks of the waxy substance, some looking like giant fossilised eggs, were reported to the Coastguard for possible removal as they can be dangerous for dogs Dog owners have been issued a warning after palm oil chunks appeared on Anglesey's coastline this week. Lumps of the foul-smelling material – some resembling enormous fossilised eggs – have been reported to the Coastguard for potential clearance. The solidified palm oil may have been deposited during Storm Floris at the beginning of the week. Since then, the substance has been discovered at Porth Diana beach in Trearddur Bay and Porth Tywyn Mawr (Sandy Beach) near Llanfwrog in Wales. Both locations are west-facing shores in the island's northern region. Canines are drawn to palm oil lumps due to their overwhelmingly sickly sweet aroma. The news comes after a mum was left 'traumatised' after a dog walker pushed her in canal as she cycled to work. While the edible vegetable oil found in cosmetics and processed foods isn't poisonous to dogs, it can trigger a laxative reaction, leading to vomiting and diarrhoea, reports North Wales Live. In severe instances, pancreatitis may occur, veterinarians warn. A potentially greater concern involves the contaminants that oil masses gather whilst floating at sea. Prior to reaching shorelines, they can soak up diesel, chemicals, sewage and dangerous bacteria. The Porth Tywyn Mawr lumps were described as "soft and smelling of diesel". Although less than half of dogs consuming palm oil become unwell, in the most serious cases, intravenous fluid therapy might be required, particularly if it leads to intestinal obstructions. Pet owners are typically recommended to contact their vet as a safety measure. Congealed chunks of palm oil, often resembling waxy pebbles or boulders in shades of white, yellow or orange, are causing a stir on shore. HM Coastguard has likened these greasy lumps to "giant chunks of earwax". Palm oil deposits are a common sight on beaches across Britain, but Anglesey has been a hotspot for the last three decades. This dates back to a 1991 disaster when the Maltese ship "Kimya" capsized in a storm 16 miles southwest of Holyhead, resulting in the loss of 10 crew members. The vessel was carrying palm oil in its hold, and it's believed that subsequent storms have dislodged the cargo, sending waxy lumps towards the coast. One man speculated online that this was the source of the most recent wash-ups. "It turns up all over the island after storms but it is encapsulated now and looks like soap bars, or pieces of it," he said. "The pieces have turned up as far as Rhos on Sea. "Boats do dump palm oil at sea but the Kimya palm oil looks like this and doesn't leave a yellow pungent 'trail' like fresh palm oil does." Typically, lumps of palm oil originate from ships using the substance as a cleaning agent to flush out their fuel tanks at sea. In the past, storage tanks used for transporting palm oil were also flushed at sea to prevent contamination of the next delivery. Frankie Hobro, director of Anglesey Sea Zoo, said some oil bergs can weigh up to a quarter of a tonne. It's usually the responsibility of local authorities to arrange for testing and removal if necessary. Other vegetable oils also end up in the sea, solidifying in the UK's chilly waters. Distinguishing between them can be a challenge without lab tests, according to the Coastguard. Since 2021, it's been against the law to discharge palm oil residues into European waters. Cargo tanks must now be pre-washed before ships set sail. HM Coastguard shared online: "Tracing the origin of washed-up substances is difficult as they might have drifted over a long period and for many miles before arriving on land. The ship involved may not even have passed through UK waters or visited a UK port, and testing is unlikely to reveal its source. "One way of tracking pollution is by satellite detections – unnatural wave patterns are often a clue. Most of these in UK waters turn out to be permitted tank discharges but they are still investigated by the MCA to find the source and determine legality."
North Wales Live
10-08-2025
- North Wales Live
Toxic debris washes up on North Wales beaches looking like 'giant chunks of earwax'
Dog owners have been put on alert after palm oil bergs washed up on Anglesey's beaches this week. Chunks of the strange-smelling substance – some looking like giant fossilised eggs – were reported to the Coastguard for possible removal. It's possible the solidified palm oil may have washed up during Storm Floris at the start of the week. Since then, deposits have been found at Porth Diana beach in Trearddur Bay and Porth Tywyn Mawr (Sandy Beach) near Llanfwrog. Both are west-facing beaches in the north of the island. Dogs are attracted to palm oil rocks as they have an irresistibly sickly sweet smell. As it's an edible vegetable oil used in cosmetics and processed foods, palm oil is not poisonous to dogs – but it can have a laxative effect, causing sickness and diarrhoea. In extreme cases, pancreatitis is possible, according to vets. A potentially bigger problem are the nasties that oil bergs collect as they bob on the sea. Before they wash up on beaches, they can absorb diesel, chemicals, sewage and harmful bacteria. The Porth Tywyn Mawr chunks were described as 'soft and smelling of diesel'. Fewer than half of dogs nibbling palm oil fall ill. But in the worst cases, intravenous fluid treatment may be needed, especially if it causes gut blockages. Pet owners are generally advised to call their vet as a precaution. On shore, congealed chunks of palm oil often look like waxy pebbles or boulders, and are coloured white, yellow or orange. HM Coastguard says the often greasy lumps look like 'giant chunks of earwax'. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Palm oil deposits collect on beaches all around Britain. But for the last three decades Anglesey has been seen as a hotspot. This stems from a 1991 disaster 16 miles southwest of Holyhead when the Maltese ship 'Kimya' capsized in a storm with the loss of 10 crew. As the vessel was carrying palm oil in its hold, it's thought subsequent storms are dislodging the cargo and sending waxy lumps towards the coast. Online, one man suspected this was the source of the most recent wash-ups. 'It turns up all over the island after storms but it is encapsulated now and looks like soap bars, or pieces of it,' he said. 'The pieces have turned up as far as Rhos on Sea. 'Boats do dump palm oil at sea but the Kimya palm oil looks like this and doesn't leave a yellow pungent 'trail' like fresh palm oil does.' Generally, palm oil lumps originate from ships that use the substance as a cleaning agent to flush out their fuel tanks at sea. Traditionally, storage tanks used to transport palm oil were also flushed at sea to avoid contaminating the next delivery. According to Frankie Hobro, director of Anglesey Sea Zoo, some oil bergs weigh up to a quarter of a tonne. Usually it's up to the local authority to arrange testing and removal, if required. Other vegetable oils also find their way into the sea, solidifying in the UK's cold waters. Telling the difference is often tricky without laboratory testing, said HM Coastguard. Since 2021, it's been illegal to discharge palm oil residues in European waters: cargo tanks must now be pre-washed before departure. Keeping an eye out for potential breaches is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which flies surveillance aircraft to gather evidence. Online, HM Coastguard said: 'Tracing the origin of washed-up substances is difficult as they might have drifted over a long period and for many miles before arriving on land. 'The ship involved may not even have passed through UK waters or visited a UK port, and testing is unlikely to reveal its source. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'One way of tracking pollution is by satellite detections – unnatural wave patterns are often a clue. Most of these in UK waters turn out to be permitted tank discharges but they are still investigated by the MCA to find the source and determine legality.'
