A KILCREGGAN woman is recovering in a South African hospital after she contracted Pneumonia while competing for Scotland at powerlifting.

Siona Garden, who owns the Cafe at Kilcreggan, joined 25 other Scottish athletes at the Commonwealth Classic powerlifting and bench-press championships near Johannesburg - her biggest achievement to date.

The 45 year-old mum-of-three had to raise thousands of pounds to compete at the championships, but it was all worth it when she won the bench press class on Monday, September 11.

However, just days after climbing the rostrum to collect her gold medal, she found herself in a hospital bed struck down by the potentially deadly infection.

Siona has undergone intensive intravenous treatment since, and although she is on the road to recovery, she missed the chance to compete in the full power event and has been advised she will not be released from hospital until Friday, September 22.

She is scheduled to return to the UK on Monday, and despite the hospital visit, says the trip has all been worth it.

Speaking from her hospital bed, Siona told the Advertiser: “By Friday morning I felt like death so went to local surgery who x-rayed my chest to discover I had pretty serious pneumonia.”

She added: “The competition was right on track, my body felt good, I felt recovered from the travelling, was ready to do battle to the best of my ability.

“I had enjoyed the experience of competing in the bench championships which gave me an insight into what it was like to step onto the Commonwealth stage.”

Siona has kept family and friends, who helped raise funds to get her there, up to date via her Facebook page and messages of support have flooded in, boosting her spirits.

The team at SOS Fitness, where Siona trains, posted their best wishes on Facebook saying: “From everyone at SOS Fitness Siona we are sending you all our love and get well wishes. We cannot even begin to imagine how you’re feeling just now, and hope you get home very soon.

“We are so proud of you and cannot wait for you to get home and when you’re well enough celebrate your amazing achievements. Take good care and let me know if there is anything we can do to help. Lots of love. Team SOS.”

Siona extended her thanks to all her family, friends, colleagues and supporters for their kind messages which she has been “overwhelmed” by.

Although illness meant she had to miss an opportunity to show her strength, Siona is delighted to have secured a medal to bring home.