Doctor with one kidney completes 15 half Ironmans

Dr Meg Pragnell donated a kidney to her mother and went on to do 15 half-Ironmans in as many days breaking a world record

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 transplant.

Both 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 parks.

The 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."

Dr Pragnell had plenty of support from family and friends along the way

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.

Dr Pragnell ran just under 200 miles (321km) in 15 days - the distance from Derbyshire to Devon by car

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 said she was inspired by her friend who was diagnosed with sarcoma

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 had to battle through Storm Floris and 60mph gusts

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.

Dr Pragnell celebrated with family and friends on completion and described crossing the finish line as "pure euphoria"