Young woman who lost her limbs to septicaemia to be made honorary citizen of Marbella

AN HONOUR: Sarah (centre) is set to receive honorary citizenship on Saturday. CREDIT: Sarah Almagro Vallejo, via Facebook

A YOUNG woman who lost her limbs to septicaemia last year is due to be made an honorary citizen of Marbella this Saturday.

Sarah Almagro Vallejo has been put forward for the honour along with 15 other local people. The status is in recognition of their contribution to local life, according to Mayor Angeles Muñoz.

Muñoz said: “Sarah’s ability to face personal challenges and the changes in fortune in her life are praiseworthy. It is an example of courage.”

Sarah’s mother wrote on Facebook on Sunday: “Sarah is stronger, her defences are better and luckily she hasn’t contracted another infection.”

Sarah’s mother added prosthetic hands have been bought for her and that she is now awaiting prosthetic feet.

Sarah, a prospective law student and keen sportswoman, was taken to Marbella’s Costa del Sol Hospital on the night of July 23 after coming down with a fever.

“The last thing I remember was screaming in agony before being put into a room,” Sarah said shortly after recovering from surgery.

Doctors there found she had contracted septicaemia, a life-threatening bacterial blood infection.

Her limbs had to be amputated and she spent 10 days in a coma and has since undergone several more operations.

Sarah’s illness spawned a fundraising drive which saw the local Spanish community and expatriates come together to raise money for prosthesis operations.

The fundraising drive, dubbed Palente con Sarah (Forward with Sarah), has seen local sports teams, companies and volunteers hold several events in her aid.

The Somos Tu Ola (We Are Your Wave) initiative was also launched after Sarah’s illness which is due to help people who contract septicaemia and their families. The name is a nod to surfing, Sarah’s favourite sport.

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Joe Gerrard

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