Poppy May won the Achievement Award at the Crawley Community Awards 2025. In April 2018, Poppy's life took a devastating turn. Losing all sensation from the waist down and becoming a wheelchair user. The confusion, fear, and heartbreak of those days still linger in her memory, magnified by the helplessness of those around her. Poppy's world fell apart. Depression consumed this young lady for years, leaving her feeling lost and broken. In October 2019, Poppy entered a residential rehabilitation unit for a 12-week treatment plan. What followed was a very dark period. Yet, deep inside her, a spark of hope refused to be extinguished. That spark led to a turning point.
In January 2023, Poppy's mental health began to shift, and by May 2023, she completed her first 10k at the Gatwick Run in her day wheelchair.
Poppy has now completed 18 races in her wheelchair (10k, half marathons and Full marathons) raising funds for her favourite charities: (Mind, mental health) Outreach, animal charities.
Looking back, Poppy's journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and triumph. It's a testament to the power of community, determination, and the human spirit.
Poppy has learned one vital truth: She doesn’t give up.
Poppy revealed she tried to take her life 200 times but is now training with Team GB to be a powerlifter.
In January 2023, Poppy's mental health began to shift, and by May 2023, she completed her first 10k at the Gatwick Run in her day wheelchair.
Poppy has now completed 18 races in her wheelchair (10k, half marathons and Full marathons) raising funds for her favourite charities: (Mind, mental health) Outreach, animal charities.
Looking back, Poppy's journey is one of heartbreak, resilience, and triumph. It's a testament to the power of community, determination, and the human spirit.
Poppy has learned one vital truth: She doesn’t give up.
Poppy revealed she tried to take her life 200 times but is now training with Team GB to be a powerlifter.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Achievement. Next up is the Achievement Award to announce the winner. Please welcome Councillor Sue Mullins,
00:06Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Culture.
00:09I say first of all I feel absolutely privileged to stand on this stage yet again, this is not my first time,
00:16but once again it's an absolute privilege to say well done, thank you to all our fabulous volunteers
00:23who are the glue that hold Crawley together. Without you Crawley is nothing.
00:28So well done to every single person you see.
00:38And the winner tonight for the Achievement Award is Poppy May.
00:44Poppy's life took a devastating turn. Losing all sensation from the waist down and becoming a wheelchair user,
00:50the confusion, fear and heartbreak of those days still linger in her memory, magnified by the helplessness of those around her.
00:58Poppy's world fell apart. Depression consumed this young lady for years, leaving her feeling lost and broken.
01:04In October 2019, Poppy entered a residential rehabilitation unit for a 12 week treatment plan.
01:10What followed was a very dark period, yet deep inside her a spark of hope refused to be extinguished.
01:17That spark led to a turning point. In January 2023, Poppy's mental health began to shift and by May 2023, she completed her first 10K at the Gatwick Run in her day wheelchair.
01:29Poppy has now completed 18 races in her wheelchair, 10K, half K marathons and full marathons, raising funds for her favourite charities, Mind and Outreach.
01:39To meet back, Poppy's journey is one of heartbreak, resilience and triumph.
01:43It's a testament to the power of community, determination and the human spirit.
01:47Poppy has learnt one vital truth, she doesn't give up.
01:51Give up. Please give it up for Poppy.
02:09So, it's been a heck of a time for you.
02:13Starting over is one of the hardest things to do.
02:17Where did your courage and determination come from, do you think?
02:21So, after I became disabled, I had a very bad mental health.
02:27I tried taking my life over, I think it's about 200 times, many close calls.
02:33I actually lost my life and was brought back to life.
02:37And I think after such a long period of time of constantly being sectioned and, you know, always in and out of mental health hospitals,
02:45I wanted to finally actually start living my life rather than surviving it.
02:53If that wasn't inspiring, I don't know what will.
02:57What are your plans for the rest of 2025 and beyond?
03:02So, I post content videos around fitness.
03:07And a few weeks ago, I got contacted by a coach from Team GB for the Paralympics.
03:15And so, I've started training for para powerlifting for Team GB.
03:25I think I weigh about 15 stone, can you see if you can get me above your head?
03:30No.
03:31Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Poppy May.