An Anglesey woman who survived two heart attacks and breast cancer recently competed in a national pickleball championship.

Katherine Knowles, 73, played at the 2024 Skechers English Nationals, held between October 31 and November 3 at the Bolton Arena.

The spirited woman has faced many challenges, having lost her mother and stepdaughter in quick succession.

Despite these hardships, she took to the court in Bolton to honour their memories and celebrate her love for the sport.

Ms Knowles said: "My parents lived in the Pennines. My mum passed away last year in May.

"She was almost 99 and I lost my lovely dad 18 years ago. She's with my dad now and we have a bench in Anglesey for them now.

"Three days after my mum passed away we found out that there was nothing else that could be done for my step-daughter Abigail.

"She was here watching me last year and now she's gone to a better place.

"She was the joy of everybody that met her."

Though originally from England, Ms Knowles has a strong connection to Wales, where she has significantly contributed to the growth of pickleball.

She learned to play the sport in Bolton six years ago and has been instrumental in its introduction in Wales.

She is a founding member of Pickleball Wales and served as the chairperson for Anglesey Pickleball Club.

Her efforts have been crucial in the sport's increasing popularity in leisure centres across the country.

She said: "I've had a great time here in Bolton.

"I'm English but all my work in pickleball has been done in Wales and it's led me into starting Pickleball Wales.

"What I've done there is phenomenal and this year I'll be hanging my boots up as chair of Anglesey Pickleball Club but we've helped clubs up and down the North Wales coast as well.

"It's about getting people active, off their bums and loving a sport."

Pickleball, a racket sport played with paddles and a perforated plastic ball, is one of the fastest-growing sports for all ages in England.

Ms Knowles said: "I'll do anything to get pickleball spread as much as possible.

"Today and yesterday, I'm competing as a 73-year-old and I'm privileged.

"I've had two heart attacks, I've had breast cancer, I've had a breakdown mentally but this sport has brought sport back into my life."

The 2024 Skechers English Nationals witnessed a record number of 1,111 players, highlighting the sport's growing popularity.