A BORDERS student who faced a “frightening” bout of coronavirus has challenged herself to run more than 200 miles this month.

Flora Johnston, 22, was advised by doctors to stay at home for almost four weeks after showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Now fully recovered, the fashion student – who is also a firefighter – is aiming to complete a fundraiser to help the charity ‘Friends of the Borders General Hospital (BGH)’.

Flora said: “I feel lucky to be recovered now and this will keep me motivated during this difficult time while being able to support a brilliant local charity.”

After first showing symptoms of the virus in late March, Flora immediately self-isolated, she said, but her health continued to go downhill.

“I had a mixture of bad fevers and a tightness in my chest, would wake up completely exhausted, and even the smallest thing such as taking rubbish out to the bin was a real struggle without stopping to catch my breath,” she said.

NHS nurses and doctors at the BGH talked to her regularly over the phone until she finally improved after 26 days at home.

“It was definitely a frightening experience and one I’m glad to put behind me,” said Flora, originally from Elgin, who has been a retained firefighter in Galashiels since 2018.

Her most recent help from the BGH came after a previous medical episode last summer, when a cycling accident led to her receiving treatment in Melrose for a fractured elbow and concussion.

As a way of saying thank you to healthcare staff, she has decided to raise money to help the hospital.

Every day in May, Flora aims to run the 11.2km distance from her front door to the hospital and back.

She said: “Running just shy of 350km in total will be a challenge, I have no doubt about that.

“I’ve always been a keen runner and was meant to be running the Edinburgh 10km later this month, but this will be something else entirely.”

Flora has already raised more than £700 – smashing her initial target of £200. Anyone wishing to donate can do so through this link.

Flora moved to Galashiels for university in 2016 and joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) two years later.

The SFRS area commander for the Borders, Stephen Gourlay, said: “Flora is an example of someone who wants to go above and beyond to help people – and her commitment to her local community in Galashiels has been exemplary.

“Flora is one of very few full-time students serving as a retained firefighter anywhere in Scotland and is highly regarded by her colleagues and community.

“We are proud to call her one of our own and to support her fundraising challenge for an important and valued local charity here in the Borders.

“We are also very pleased that Flora is now fully recovered and back on call after a difficult period and I would like to thank her and all our staff for their unwavering commitment to the service and their communities during this challenging time.”