A MUM from Darwen who suffered a heart attack in the middle of studying at university has celebrated her graduation.

Gemma Vignali, 32, was just three months into the community specialist practitioner course at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) when her heart stopped beating during a routine surgical operation.

The mum-of-two spent eight days in intensive care following the cardiac arrest.

But just 10 days after her near-death experience she sat her exam at UCLan and passed.

Mrs Vignali said that the experience ‘destroyed’ her and her family.

She said: “I was in a very bad way for a while.

“I think it was a lot harder for my husband to cope as we have two young children and it was totally out of the blue.

“The experience destroyed both me and my family.

“It was such as shock for us all.

“I don’t really remember much about that time, so I’m not sure how I managed to think about my exam, never mind get to university and sit it.

“I’m stunned I managed to pass it.

“However, the endless amount of support from UCLan was amazing.

“I wouldn’t have finished the course without their help, in particular my personal tutor Georgina Richie and my practice teacher Wendy Byrne.”

Mrs Vignali is now eight months into her new post as a district nursing sister in Blackburn.

She completed her nursing undergraduate course at UCLan back in 2010 .

After working in nursing, she then returned to undertake the specialist course five years later.

She was one of 1,500 graduates who donned a cap and gown at Preston’s Guild Hall and she was watched by her lecturer and husband Gianpaulo Vignali and her mum.

The former St Bede’s RC High School student said that she was proud of what she had achieved She said: “I am absolutely over the moon that I’ve graduated as a community specialist practitioner.

“I think I’m still in shock after all that happened.

“It’s been really hard work but I’m so proud I’ve achieved this.

“I am now eight months into my new post as a district nursing sister so I am still finding my feet.”

“However, I hope to return to UCLan so I can take the path of teaching others how to fulfil this role.”