A mum who hit her head on a ceiling fan which left her at risk of being "internally decapitated" has been given fresh hope after a Warwickshire stranger donated £130,000 for potentially life-saving surgery.

Rachel Pighills, 35, was trying to raise enough funds for pioneering treatment in Spain after she was left with a neck injury which could kill her at any moment.

She had been moving into a new house when she struck her head on a ceiling fan while standing on a bed which left her with horrific injuries in August 2018.

The freak accident left her with atlanto axial instability and basilar invagination where her brain is sinking into her spine and her skull is sliding down onto her neck.

It meant she could no longer turn her head the wrong way as each time she does her spine partially dislocates increasing her risk of paralysis or death.

Rachel was struck on the head by a ceiling fan while standing on a bed(Image via SWNS)

Rachel and husband Guy, 41, had been desperately trying to raise £350,000 for potentially life-saving treatment in Barcelona for the past two years.

But following an anonymous benefactor's offer to pay the remaining £130,000 Rachel was able to fund the surgery.

The donation came from an unnamed woman in her 60s from Warwickshire who reached out after seeing Rachel's story broadcast on the local BBC news.

Rachel travelled the 1,055 mile, 17-hour journey in an old ambulance driven by Guy because she was too unwell to fly.

Having had the 12-hour operation at Teknon hospital on May 20 she was discharged from hospital last week.

Rachel, of Pershore, said: "No amount of words can express what it means to us and how grateful we are. She really is our guardian angel.

"I can't believe somebody I've never even met could do such a thing for us."

Rachel: 'No amount of words can express what it means to us and how grateful we are'

Updating well-wishers on their fundraising page, Guy wrote: "I must admit it is daunting being the first night out of hospital, but it's nice to know we do have nursing staff her in case of emergencies.

"My beautiful wife amazes me more and more everyday, with her strength and determination and I hate the fact she is having to go through all of this.

"But she will not give in and as I have said many times now, it would have been so much more difficult without all the love and support you are giving us."

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