A woman who was told she may never talk or walk again after suffering a life-changing car crash is defying the odds by swimming 1000 metres.

Amanda Skinner, now 36, was just 21 when she was the passenger in a brutal car accident in 2003.

Her memories of the crash and most things beforehand have been erased and she was left with a brain injury, two broken legs, a broken pelvis, a neck fracture and a ruptured diaphragm.

Amanda said she will "never be able to accept" what happened to her but said she is dealing with it as best as she can.

At the time Amanda's mum was told by hospital staff that her daughter would not survive.

The family was then informed that walking or talking would be an unlikely possibility for Amanda once she did pull through.

But 16 years on Amanda is now pushing herself to the limit with the big swim at her local Biggin Hill Swimming Pool for the two charities which have been invaluable in her recovery.

"I’m doing it because the two charities mean so much to me," Amanda told News Shopper. "Without their help I wouldn’t be where I am today."

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Money raised will go towards the charities The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity and QEF Mobility Services.

Amanda, who can walk short distances and requires a wheelchair when out, suffers daily chronic pain and chronic fatigue.

She said she was excited for the swimming challenge on June 28, a skill she had to relearn after the crash.

"It would mean so much for me to give back," she said. "There is no way of really repaying it."

Before the crash, Amanda lived with a friend and worked at a business travel agents’ in London.

She said: "I don’t remember anything at all. I know some details from what I’ve been told but I have no memory of it."

Amanda now lives with support workers and said her family and friends "couldn’t be prouder of her" as she prepares for the swim.

She thanked businesses in Biggin Hill who have shared her fundraising poster.

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"It’s been absolutely amazing," she said. "There has been so much support. It has really touched me.

She added: "Please donate as generously as you can in support of my challenge, it would mean the world to me."

You can support the fundraiser here.

Amanda is currently preparing for June with the help of her hydro therapist.

One of her regular jokes is that since the accident she can now swim better than she can walk.

Anyone interested in cheering on Amanda at Biggin Hill Swimming Pool during the swim is free to do so.