Following an accident eight years ago, Angie Mutch was told that there was no chance of her being able to swim again.
But having undertaken lessons at Stonehaven Leisure Centre she has defied the experts.
Angie can currently manage around 10 lengths, but by the middle of May she is aiming to treble that total to raise money for medical care in Armenia.
In October, Angie will lead a team of two nurses and two doctors to the Eastern European country, located between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Armenia is still reeling from a major earthquake in 1988 and Angie is desperate to help with the rebuilding programme which is still ongoing.
She said: "Eighty percent of medical staff in the country were killed when hospitals collapsed. As a result no medical help was immediately available. Whole villages were completely wiped out.
"Because hospitals had to be rebuilt, and new nurses and doctors trained, most medical help in Armenia has come from other countries. The country now has a home-grown staff that needs specialist training in trauma and earthquake care.
"We have been asked to train nursing and medical staff advanced trauma care, both pre-hospital and hospital-based. The team will also be teaching social care and first aid to villagers, school teachers, church members and village leaders in the main earthquake zone."
Angie is hoping to raise £3,000, not only to cover her travel costs but to provide medical equipment for a village.
To do this she has learned to swim with a specially adapted stroke, which is necessary because her back injury makes it impossible for her head to go under water.
Angie is hoping to attract as many sponsors as possible for her attempt to swim 30 lengths, currently scheduled for Monday May 12 in Stonehaven.
She is also eager to hear from any businesses which may be interested in helping impoverished villagers in Armenia.
Angie can be contacted on 07786 514615. Sponsor forms are also available in Stonehaven's Toymaster store on Allardice Street.