A WOMAN in danger of being decapitated at any moment can now have potentially life-saving surgery after a mystery donor helped fund her surgery.
Rachel Pighills, from Pershore, was struck by a ceiling fan at her home in 2018, and has since lived with a complex neck injury causing her brain to slowly sink into her spine.
Since then, she and her family have been trying to raise the money to have specialist treatment in Barcelona.
This week, the family's prayers were answered, as a mystery benefactor loaned £130,000 to help fund her operation.
The donation has helped her hit the £350,000 needed to pay for the operation and care while in Spain.
Mrs Pighills' husband Guy said: "Our prayers have been answered and a miracle has happened.
"With still such a large amount of money to raise, surgery was going to have to be postponed, but with Rachel’s deterioration, this lady, our guardian angel would not allow it to happen and has very generously loaned us the remaining £130,000 needed.
"We are absolutely blown away that someone would do this for us, it really is a blessing and no amount of words can express how eternally grateful we are."
On May 13, the family embarked on the trip to Spain, with Mrs Pighills' surgery set for May 20.
The identity of the benefactor is being kept a secret, save for the fact she is a woman from Warwickshire.
Because of her injury, Mrs Pighills is left struggling to remain upright or breathe, with any movement potentially leaving her life in danger.
She is too unwell to fly, with Guy having bought an old ambulance to drive to Spain.
He added: "We are very stressed about needing to raise the rest of the money to make the repayment but hope is driving us forward.
"There has been so much kindness already but we still have an incredibly long way to go and really need as much help as we can get to make this possible please.
"The quicker we can raise the money the quicker Rachel can focus on her recovery instead of worrying about repayments and hopefully enjoy a quality of life again."
For more information about Rachel's treatment or to donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/q8tc99-rachels-fight-for-life
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here