A Paralympic hopeful with a neurological condition has raised more than half the £10,000 cost to amputate her leg through a Crowdfunding appeal in just days.
Hope Gordon said she was “absolutely gobsmacked” by the generosity of people across the country.
The 21-year-old, who is originally from Rogart in Sutherland, suffered a playground injury when she was 12 which triggered complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
The world-class rower and swimmer – who wants to represent Team GB at next year’s Paralympics – has been begging for an amputation of her left leg for six years.
But medics have told her she cannot have the surgery on the NHS.
She has now found a surgeon based in Blackpool who is willing to do the operation privately, and launched a fundraising appeal online last month to raise the cash needed to end her torment.
Already she has raised more than £5,300 from 170 backers – including one generous anonymous £500 pledge – and with just more than two weeks to go she is hopeful of reaching her target.
Writing on her Just Giving page, Miss Gordon – who now lives in Stirling – said: “Absolutely gobsmacked at the kindness and generosity from everyone. Over 50% of the way there after only 12 days.
“There is a light emerging from the tunnel. Massive thank you to every single person who has donated, no matter the amount. No thank yous will ever be high enough.”
Miss Gordon takes up to 30 pills every day to try to relieve her torture.
Despite her battle with pain, Hope swims and rows for Scotland. She has won medals in junior and UK school competitions.
NHS Forth Valley have said they feared Hope would be left with phantom limb pain if she had an amputation.