An Aberdeen woman who broke her back whilst horse riding will scale the highest mountain in Africa to mark eight years since the horrific accident.
Gillian Fowler plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro alongside the surgeon and physiotherapist who helped her on the road to recovery to celebrate how far she has come.
Ms Fowler had always been a lover of the outdoors, enjoying skiing, golf and hill walking, but the accident in 2008 changed her life.
The 37-year-old was forced to undergo numerous surgeries, regular spinal injections and years of rehabilitation, but the turning point came last year when there was a small change in her spinal movement.
Ms Fowler seized the opportunity and pushed herself until she was able to complete hill walks again.
All the donations she receives for her fundraising trek up Kilimanjaro in February will be split between two charities, BackStrong Trust and Backcare.
“I am thrilled to be able to even attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro given all that has happened, and adapting life around my limitations and pain,” she said.
“I have gradually built up my walking and climbing abilities, and I am very excited to mark the anniversary on Kilimanjaro with such a special group of people.”
Ms Fowler will be joined by her surgeon Niall Craig and physiotherapist Emma Paterson, as well as friends Marie-Ann McLeod, Kay Morgan and Ann Mitchell.
To donate to her mission, visit
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/kili2016