TAFE Queensland Senior College students are taking strides to help a fellow student after a deadly flu virus changed her life.
Seventeen-year-old Tayla Egan from Alexandra Hills caught the flu in 2017, which rapidly turned into pneumonia and a life threatening sepsis infection.
She was put on life support after organ failure, had open-heard surgery, and her left leg and right foot were amputated.
Ms Egan survived with countless operations, rehabilitation, but was forced to start her life over, learning to eat, sit, stand and walk again.
Despite spending a significant amount of time away from school, Ms Egan is determined to finish her education and is doing so at TAFE Queensland Senior College in Alexandra Hills.
Senior college director Craig Eades said 250 of Ms Egan's fellow students inspired by her story would use their annual fundraising event to help her continue her ongoing rehabilitation.
"This year's fundraising effort is driven by the students who are engaging the local community to donate, and there isn't a more worthy cause as Tayla's," Mr Eades said.
"They're raising money with a 4km sponsored walk on campus, helping to fund her medical costs and rehabilitation - which is incredible, and we are so proud to be involved in this project."
Yesterday each student walked four loops around the internal road at the Alexandra Hills TAFE campus in their fundraising efforts.
Ms Egan said she would not let her disability define her and the funds would help her live her best life possible.
"My classmates and the people donating are just so generous, thanks to their efforts, I can continue accessing the medical procedures I need to continue living a full life," she said.
Mr Eades said TAFE Queensland Senior College was a flexible program which would help Ms Egan adapt to her new way of life.
"Senior college is the perfect high school alternative for someone in a unique situation like Tayla," he said,
"It allows her to complete her Queensland Certificate of Education and gain an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank with a timetable that can fit around her life outside of school.
"Tayla is a normal teenager who wants a normal teenage life, and it's our privilege that she's studying with us.
"We're thrilled to play a part in helping her complete Year 11 and 12 and put her on the path to achieving her life's dreams and goals."