A TEENAGER who broke his back in a sledging accident has successfully scaled the Eiffel Tower for a charity fundraiser.
Filip Cegar, 13, of Aberdeen, had to learn to walk again after being thrown from his sledge and breaking both his breastbone and back in Bieldside, near Aberdeen, last December.
The Cults Academy pupil underwent months of rehabilitation and decided that when he recovered he would raise £2000 for the Archie Foundation as a thank you to the team at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) who cared for him.
Filip climbed 674 steps up the Eiffel Tower on Wednesday with his fundraising total sitting at just over £4100 – more than double his original target.
READ MORE: Petition to block DLC compound at Taymouth castle hits first milestone
“The climb was excellent, the queue was not too long and climbing up to the first two levels was smooth,” he said.
“The elevator took us to the top of the Eiffel Tower and we had the most amazing view of a beautiful sunset.
“I have always wanted to visit Paris so this was a dream come true.
“I was so happy to get to the top of the stairs and I can’t believe how much money has been raised.
“I would like to thank everyone who has donated to my JustGiving page in aid of the Archie Foundation.”
After a well deserved rest, Filip (above) and his family are now enjoying some downtime at Disneyland Paris.
Following his accident last year, surgeons at RACH had to realign Filip’s spine and fix his spinal cord in place to prevent any further damage in what was the first operation of its kind to be carried out in Aberdeen.
Filip was then transferred to the Queen Elizabeth National Spine Injuries Unit in Glasgow where he had to learn to walk again, although he was allowed to go home on Christmas Eve to enjoy the festivities with his family.
The money he raised through his charity climb will now be used to buy a recliner for the High Dependency Unit at RACH to allow families like Filip’s to sit by their child’s bedside in comfort.
Any leftover cash will be used to help fund a room in the Archie Foundation’s Family Centre, where families can stay at no cost while their children are treated.
Lynn Brooks, partnership manager at the Archie Foundation, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to hear Filip has completed his fundraising challenge and has raised such a fantastic amount.
READ MORE: BBC News wipes out huge chunk of Scottish Highlands on UK map
“He is an inspirational young man who has made an incredible recovery after a particularly traumatic accident on his sledge.
“Filip and his family can be assured that the money has has raised will be put to extremely good use.”
Anyone who wishes to donate to Filip’s JustGiving appeal can do so HERE.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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