A young Scottish girl who was told from birth she may never walk will take part in a 5k fundraising run.
Alloa youngster Hope Gilmour, 11, was originally diagnosed with clicky hips as a baby, however during an operation doctors discovered she actually had no hip sockets at all and would need to have new ones carved.
The family was told Hope may never be able to walk or may walk with a limp after the procedure.
However after being given the all-clear at the age of seven, Hope joined her school’s running club.
Mum Louisa Micallef said: “After Hope’s first operation where she had new hip sockets carved, she had to be in a full body cast and, after that, we had monthly appointments until she needed a second operation again when she was three.
“We weren’t sure what the outcome would be as we’d been told there was a high chance her ability to walk would be affected, so when she was given the all clear at the age of seven, we were absolutely over the moon.
“Since then, her achievements have been astonishing. She’s been in her school running club since P3 and won her part in the relay in sports day.
“Other parents come to tell me how good she is at running and she has now set herself the goal of running the London Marathon by the age of 16. It’s all just unbelievable.”
Hope is now running the 5k Big Fun Run in the Scottish capital in aid of the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), which has supported her throughout the years.
The organisation funds a volunteer service ensuring families are supporting during hospital experiences, as well as filling up the hospital playrooms with books and toys.
Ms Micallef added: “If it hadn’t been for ECHC, I don’t know what we would have done when Hope was in hospital. The work of the charity was so vital to us during this stressful time.
“After her operation, I hated the idea of leaving Hope on her own, but there was always a volunteer to come and sit with her so that I could go and get a coffee or something to eat.
“People don’t realise that many of the excellent facilities and services at the RHSC are funded by the charity, so we’re running the Edinburgh 5K Big Fun Run to raise awareness of their incredible work.
“And if we can raise some money at the same time, even better.”
Rachel Baxter, director of fundraising and marketing at ECHC, said: “We are so thankful to Hope and Louisa for choosing us as their cause and we wish them the very best of luck.
“The fact that Hope is taking part in this run is such a testament to her strength and determination and is really inspirational to us.”
The pair will take part in the run on Sunday, July 30. To donate to their fundraising visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louisaandhope
