The daughter of a north-east man who was killed in a horrific collision has vowed to mark the anniversary of his death with a charity event.
Harry McPherson died at the scene of the smash on the Toll of Birness-Mintlaw stretch of the A952 in October last year.
The collision between Mr McPherson’s Vauxhall Corsa and a blue Ford Focus C-Max also left Mr McPherson’s partner Patricia severely injured.
Now the couple’s daughter Elaine has decided to raise money for road safety charity Brake by climbing Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis with friends.
Last night Miss McPherson said: “The anniversary of the collision is coming up and I wanted to have something positive to focus on.
“I wanted to give something back to Brake because they gave me this hand book. It’s really informative, and it has helped me with each step after someone dies in a collision. I had no one else to ask, I have no other family, so they have been really helpful.”
Miss McPherson – who has been training with regular walks up Bennachie – will set out to climb the 4,409ft mountain on October 25 with a group of friends. She has set a modest fundraising target of £1,000, but as of yesterday had already reached £300.
She said: “My mum’s still in a rehabilitation unit, and won’t be able to leave until at least November. The doctors have told us that it could be up to five years before we know the full extent of the brain damage.
“You think the person recovers and that’s it, but a year on and my mum is still an inpatient at a brain rehabilitation unit, not sure if she is ever going to be able to work again. Not only did I lose my dad, but I have lost a year’s worth of quality time with my only remaining family member.
“You just have to try to stay positive and think that things could have been so much worse. I just want to do something worthwhile now.”
Lisa Kendall, Brake’s community fundraising manager, said that Miss McPherson’s effort would help the charity continue to provide life-saving work.
“Every penny raised will be put towards our work supporting families whose lives have been devastated by a road crash, and campaigning for safer roads,” she said.
“We wish Elaine all the best with her climb.”