A WOMAN with Down’s Syndrome, who took on an aquathlon to raise money for a charity that saved her friend’s life, sprinted to the finish line and smashed her fundraising target.

Lisa Matthews swam 500 metres and ran 5K up the hilly Salisbury Plain in aid of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which saved the life of three-year-old Joshie Thomas in November last year.

The 33-year-old, who also has congenital heart defect, was expected to finish the course in one hour and 30 minutes however beat the target at one hour and 23 minutes on Sunday, 25 March.

Her original fundraising target was £100 but she raised nearly £800.

Joshie’s grandmother Kate McBain, who completed the aquathlon with Lisa, said: “It was amazing she certainly exceeded expectations. She didn’t stop at all on the swim and she did really well.

“She sprinted to the finish line and I think she loved it.

“She got a prize at the end and that was lovely.”

Joshie, of Colvin Close, also watched from the sidelines and ran with Kate over the finish line.

Lisa has been working on her fitness since she was told by doctors she needed to lose weight to take pressure off her heart following open heart surgery in 2012.

Doctors however doubted her ability to do it, and Lisa has since proved them wrong losing several stone and completing her first aquathlon.

Following Joshie’s incident where he was airlifted to hospital and spent months in recovery, Lisa set out on this challenge for the air ambulance which saved his life.

Now, grandmother Kate is teaming up with a friend Sarah Cavill, also known as the Grateley Grannies, to continue fundraising for the charity such as by gearing up for the Ride 100.