A veteran, who almost lost a leg in a horrific accident, is raising funds for the organisation which is helping him to achieve his dream of getting back on a motorbike.
Derek Hunter was riding his 2005 model Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer motorbike past Trump International in February, 2017 when he was involved in a four-vehicle collision.
Mr Hunter, a civil servant from Peterhead, suffered life-threatening injuries to his right leg when his femur and knee were left shattered.
But now, almost two years later, with the support of family and friends, allied to his determination to climb back on a bike, Mr Hunter is trying to raise £1,000 to support the organisation who made that dream possible.
In May, the 46-year-old will ride across the American Wild West challenge thanks to backing from non-profit organisation Bike Tours for the Wounded (BTFTW).
The organisation ensures that service personnel, who are injured, wounded or become sick in a way which is career or life-limiting, receive the opportunity to escape from their comfort zone as a means of aiding their recovery.
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Mr Hunter was a soldier in the Royal Signals for 19 years before he left in 2014 and got involved with BTFTW through his brother.
He said: “I was on my way down to see relatives in the central belt on when I was involved in a major accident near to the entrance to Trump International golf course and was knocked off my motorbike by a car that was attempting to avoid a truck and car that had collided.
“I had gone into shock from blood loss and was taken to ARI under police escort where I almost died a couple of times in the operating room.
“My right leg now has two plates and pins holding it all together and my knee has pins and wires in it.
“I was off work for 18 months and had to fight to motivate myself and convince work to let me back.
“I heard about the charity through my brother who had went on a Route 66 tour with them a few years ago.
“At the time, I thought I didn’t qualify as my accident happened after I left the army.
“Bekkie Fair from the charity asked me how would I like to become a beneficiary of the charity and go on one of their tours.
“My bike was a write-off, so I can’t wait to get back on a bike or trike at some point.”
To donate in support of Mr Hunter’s fundraising, visit wildwest1.everydayhero.com/uk/derek-s-wild-west-challenge
