An Aberdeen teenager who broke his back in a horrific sledging accident has presented two recliner chairs to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH).
Filip Cegar (14) had to learn to walk again after the freak accident in Bieldside in December 2022, which resulted in him breaking both his back and breastbone.
Less than a year later, he climbed the 674 steps of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, raising more than £5,500 to thank the team that cared for him and supported him during his recovery.
The funds have now been used to buy two recliner chairs for the hospital’s High Dependency Unit (HDU), which will allow other families to sit by their child’s bedside in comfort.
Leona Pottinger, senior charge nurse in the HDU, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Cegar family for the donation of two pull out chair beds, and incredibly proud of Filip for climbing the Eiffel Tower during his recovery from his accident. What an absolutely amazing achievement!
“During Filip’s admission to HDU, his parents were able to use one of our existing chair beds to stay by Filip’s side. This very kind donation now allows us to have a chair bed available at each of our bed spaces, allowing all of our parents/carers the opportunity to stay with their child comfortably.”
Filip’s recovery is thanks to an operation which was carried out by a team of surgeons.
In the first operation of its kind to be carried out in Aberdeen, surgeons at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) had to realign Filip’s spine and fix his spinal cord in place to prevent any further damage.
The lead surgeon, Mr James Walkden, said: “We felt that Filip’s best chance of recovery would be to stabilise his spine and decompress the cord here in the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. I regularly perform this type of surgery in adult patients, but this was the first time we have done the procedure on a child in Aberdeen.
“The surgery went very well and the whole neurosurgery department in Aberdeen is so delighted for Filip, his recovery has been exceptional. We also greatly appreciate the fundraising he has done to help both RACH and The Archie Foundation.”
Filip is now fully recovered and recently enjoyed a snowboarding holiday in Slovenia.
Speaking about the trip, his mum Irena said: “I can’t describe the feelings of happiness when I saw his first video sent from the mountains, I could only imagine how he felt.”
Filip added: “It was just amazing to be snowboarding again. I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do the things I love again.
“It was also really special to be able to raise money for The Archie Foundation and give something back to those who helped me and my family.”
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation.