TWO years ago Nick Rule lay in a hospital bed on a life support machine and his family feared he would die from the pneumonia that was sapping his life away.

But now Nick, 23, from Cherhill, near Calne, has fought back to fitness and has been able to take part in a gruelling 26-mile trek to help his sister Victoria raise money for a charity trip to Belize.

His mother Kate Rule said: "It was a terrible time for the whole family. Nick and Victoria have always been very close and she was incredibly upset.

"The pneumonia struck very quickly and Nick was on a life support machine. We were warned that he might not survive. He is over 6ft tall and his weight went down to under eight and a half stone."

But Nick, who at the time was a trainee farrier, gradually turned the corner and after more than three weeks in hospital was able to return home and start a very gradual return to health and fitness.

After six months at home recovering he was eventually able to return to work as a farrier in Crudwell, and has completed his apprenticeship.

His fitness was confirmed last weekend when he joined Victoria, 18, her boyfriend, Martin Steer, and their cousin, Simon Rule, on a 26-mile trek across the Brecon Beacons.

The walk is expected to have raised £450 towards cash needed for Victoria to take part in an Raleigh International expedition to Belize next March.

"It was very emotional to think of them all going out there and doing this, especially when Nick had been so ill. At one time it was something I wouldn't have thought possible," said Mrs Rule, who works as a community nurse.

Victoria, who wants to join the police on her return from the ten-week stint in Belize, must raise £3,500 to be able to take part in the project.

Her younger brother Alex, 13, also wanted to take part in the Brecon walk, which included climbing the area's most challenging peak.

But his mother feared he would slow down the group and struggle to keep up.

But the whole family is joining in Victoria's fundraising effort.

Even her father Patrick, who is working on Ascension Island as a meteorologist, is getting in on the act.

Mr Rule, who for many years was based as a civilian in the meteorology office at RAF Lyneham, is organising a quiz among colleagues on his distant outpost in the southern Atlantic.

The family organised a treasure hunt last weekend and will be doing tourist teas at Avebury this weekend.

Victoria, who has just completed her A levels at John Bentley School, Calne, was chosen to go on the ten-week trip to Belize after undergoing a weekend selection course.

She was already a veteran of Duke of Edinburgh schemes but found the tasks set during the weekend very tough.

"She was absolutely delighted to get through. It wasn't easy and I think she is hoping the trip itself won't be as difficult," said Mrs Rule.

During the ten-week stay Victoria will take part in a mixture of environmental and educational projects.

She hopes to get a full-time job to help pay for the trip but at the moment is working on a casual basis at Bowood.