A NURSE at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital has completed her challenge of walking 350km in an inflatable dinosaur costume.

Sara Quickfall-Leonard from Poole walked to work everyday in her inflatable dinosaur costume to raise money for Bournemouth Hospital Charity to help them purchase a Walkerbot - a robotic machine to help people living with stroke relearn to walk.

Her inspiration stemmed from being unable to take part in the annual Jurassic Coast 100km.

Sara completed the challenge on May 29 after many days walking to Bournemouth Hospital in the sweltering heat.

She said: "It was really tough as it was so hot. It felt like I was in a tent with a heater on. But the public made up for it by beeping and cheering which kept me going.

"Thinking of the charity and the Walkerbot also kept me focused."

Despite receiving support from a variety of strangers, a resident of Glenmoor Road in Winton created a very special surprise for Sara on her penultimate night.

Sara explained: "He asked me to walk down his street so on my way home from work I walked down there and he got the whole street out there cheering for me with pots and pans. And they all added £160 to the fundraiser. I was in bits by the end of the road. It was really lovely."

Support was also shown by Sara's work colleagues who helped her get in and out of the suit, encouraged her and even made her a cake for her last day.

Sara added: "Everyone has been so lovely and generous. It's nice to have been able to make people smile, that makes it all worthwhile."

Sara's inflatable dinosaur costume worth £50 was kindly donated by www.morphsuits.co.uk, who donated two more after Sara's first suit became damaged following the first week of the challenge.

To donate to Sara's fundraiser, visit: https://bit.ly/Trisaratops