Brooke Bowen suffered a spinal cord injury in April 2025 after landing headfirst in a foam pit during an adult gymnastics class.

She says she initially went to A&E but was told her injury was not “traumatic” and was sent home. Brooke later paid for a private scan, which she says revealed a fractured spine.

The injury left her unable to walk for around a year and reliant on a wheelchair as she spent eight months in hospital and rehabilitation.

At the time, Brooke had only recently qualified as a children’s nurse.

She said: “Suddenly, I went from being completely independent to being unable to walk and facing months of hospital treatment and rehabilitation.”

Now, despite still struggling with longer distances and standing for long periods, Brooke has returned to the sport she loves.

“Through all of this, getting back to cheer has given me something to work towards,” she said.

“I’ve had to adapt. Things aren’t always as easy as they once were, and sometimes I have to accept that I need my wheelchair or additional support. But I’ve been able to return to the sport I love.”

Her comeback has now taken her all the way to a place on a team competing at the Allstar World Championships in Florida in April 2027.

Brooke said the opportunity was something she could never have imagined while lying in hospital.

She is aiming to raise £1,000 towards competition costs, flights and accommodation. She has so far raised £30.

Her fundraising campaign, “From learning to walk again to stepping on the world's mat”, is now helping her take the final steps towards the competition.

She said: “Every donation, no matter how small, gets me a little closer. And if you’re unable to donate, simply sharing my page would mean just as much.”

Reflecting on her journey, Brooke added: “Sometimes it’s learning to stand.

“Sometimes it’s taking your first steps again.

“And sometimes it’s those steps eventually taking you all the way to a Worlds mat in Florida.”

Support Brooke’s fundraising campaign here