Laura Nuttall fulfils another bucket list wish with 10t crane lift

Laura Nuttall from Barrowford fulfilled her wish to operate a crane when she paid a recent visit to Ainscough Crane Hire.

The second year Manchester University student made a bucket list after she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in Autumn 2018, and so far, she's managed to see Sir Paul McCartney in concert, meet Michelle Obama, been on a safari tour in South Africa and, on a trip to New York, met Saturday Night Live cast members including Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Laura’s grandmother Heather contacted Ainscough Crane Hire, based in Standish, who were more than happy to oblige, and on a visit to their Leyland depot, Laura was able to lift a 10tonne ballast slab and track the Crawler Crane across a test area.

She is now one of the few people in the country to have operated that type of crane.

Laura said: “After I was diagnosed with brain cancer, I had to give up my driver's license, so I decided I would try to drive everything and anything I could! I've driven mainstream things like a bus and a few HGV's and I thought, why not see if you could operate a crane too.”

Heavy cranes senior operations manager at Ainscough Crane Hire, Chris Britton, said: “Being a part of Laura’s inspiring story has been a huge honour for us.

"We’re so pleased she enjoyed her experience on the crane, and would like to extend an open invitation if she would ever like to return.

“Laura is a brave and positive individual that has accomplished so much for someone so young, and we look forward to watching her continue to fulfil her bucket list.”

Laura is currently fundraising in the hope of raising £80,000 for further treatment which is not available on the NHS.

To find out more, please visit: gofundme.com/f/doing-it-for-laura-2021.