A WIDNES restaurant manager says she feels ‘very lucky’ to have survived a brain haemorrhage.

Laura Shannon, aged 25, was visiting her sister, Charlie, aged 22, who works in Costa Rica in March when she suddenly fell ill.

She was with her parents, Jim and Susan and ended up in hospital.

Laura, who runs the Pesto Italian restaurant in Birchfield Road, is now making a full recovery.

She is organising a charity event on Friday, May 22 to raise money for the brain injury charity, Headway.

Customers are invited to join staff and wear wacky hats in return for making a donation.

Laura said: “I feel very lucky that I am going to make a full recovery.

“Organising this event has given me something to focus on.

“I wanted to give something back and help other people who suffer head injuries.”

Laura, from Eccles, said she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received from her work colleagues.

She said: “My employers have been absolutely fantastic.

“I’ve never been ill before. To have to take three months off has been quite difficult but the company has been wonderful.”

Laura had been on holiday with her family for a week when she became ill.

She said: “Luckily, my dad is a GP and noticed something was wrong.

“He came in the ambulance with me to the hospital and spoke to the doctors.

“The hospital looked after me really well.”

Once she became stable, she was flown back to England and has received support from the Stroke Association and occupational therapists.

She added: “The Stroke Association put me in touch with a young support group.

“It is unusual for someone my age to have a stroke so it helped to talk to other people.

“I’m now hoping to raise money to help others.”

Anyone wishing to support Laura can visit virginmoneygiving.com/team/LauraShannon.