Sawbridgeworth physio Lisa Corallini, world's strongest woman Andrea Thompson and five other strongwomen to pull train for Lucy Rayner Foundation

Sawbridgeworth physio Lisa Corallini is one of seven women aiming to set a world record by pulling a 35-tonne train for charity.

The event in Hertford on August 31 is raising money for the Lucy Rayner Foundation, which provides support for young adults with mental health issues and raises awareness. It was set up in the name of Lucy, who took her own life in May 2012, aged 22.

“Women have always been strong, but we haven't always seen ourselves as strong because society doesn’t see us that way,” said Lisa, who started weightlifting five years ago. “That’s changing. We are becoming equal.”

Lisa, 45, who established her S2S physiotherapy business in Sawbridgeworth three years ago, first got involved with the charity at a truck-pull event last year held at BBC TV's Top Gear race track.

She was in training for the Europe’s Strongest Women Masters competition at the time – a title that she won – so could not get involved as a participant but was happy to offer her physio services.

The foundation made an impression on Lisa and this year she wanted to put her muscle behind it. In particular, she said she appreciates its efforts to make sure support is accessible to black and mixed race young adults.

“As a physiotherapist my aim is always to help people whenever and how ever I can, so I feel that I need to do this to help raise even more awareness,” she said.

Lisa, a single mother of two boys, now aged 26 and 19, is well aware of the pressures on young people and the difficulties they have talking about it.

“My sons are proud of me, but I’m not sure they like it that their mother is stronger than they are,” she said.

The foundation offers free counselling, support for family members and hosts coffee mornings geared at young people who need to talk. It also campaigns to give young adults a platform to talk about the challenges they face.

Alongside Lisa at the train-pull event will be Andrea Thompson, the world’s strongest woman, plus Lorna Patton, Hannah Humphrey, Beverley De Valmency, Kelly Armstrong and Laura Guy.

In preparation, Lisa trains three times a week and is coached by Laurence Shahlaei, who won the 2016 title for Europe’s strongest man.

“I’m one of the smaller girls,” said Lisa. “I’m going to have to get very low.”

Visit thelucyraynerfoundation.com or Lisa’s fundraising page at www.gofundme.com/the-big-pull to find out more.