A COURAGEOUS crash victim and her partner are in the Scottish Borders this week as part of a three-million-steps challenge to reach Land's End.

Zara Dyer was working as a scuba diving instructor three years ago on the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman when she was involved in an accident.

She suffered a seizure while behind the wheel and her vehicle crashed into a concrete post.

As well as breaking her neck and being paralysed down her right side, Zara also suffered a traumatic brain injury.

She was airlifted to Miami for treatment.

And on her return to the UK spent nine months undergoing intensive rehabilitation.

Her road to recovery will continue for many years - but last month she embarked on a marathon fundraising effort to help others who find themselves in her position.

The 32-year-old explained: "Basically, my brain had split in two severing the nerves that connect your brain to your muscles and I needed to repair and rebuild these connections.

"I have always had a very sporty background and know I enjoy more physical work.

"Waking up and becoming aware you are not allowed fluids orally until you learn how to swallow again and you can’t physically use a toilet made me determined to be able to relearn the things that we all take for granted.

"I took for granted how easy it is to walk around and I didn’t realise how much I used to enjoy walking until it was taken away.

"It is very hard for someone who is able bodied to comprehend how frustrating it is not to be able to walk at all and being left in a wheelchair wherever the last person put you until another person comes along and moves you again.

"As soon as I could take a few steps I knew I wanted to achieve a bigger goal that was walking the length of the UK."

With long-term partner Ian Brown by her side, Zara took her first steps from John O' Groats on May 7.

Averaging around 10 miles each day the couple reached West Linton on Tuesday.

And they have spent the past few days heading down the Tweed Valley through Peebles and Innerleithen.

Over the weekend Zara and Ian will trek over to Selkirk and down to Hawick.

And every penny they raise will go towards equipment to help others who find themselves in a similar situation to Zara.

Zara added: "We are raising money to provide support for people recovering from brain injuries and their carers.

"We are walking continuously with a rest day here and there, but we will have to take everyday slower than then average walker."

To support Zara's three-million-steps fundraising walk visit the website at https://3millionsteps.org/donations/