FORMER Hermitage Academy pupil Hannah Rankin has set herself the goal of becoming a world champion in 2019 – and has launched an online crowdfunder to help her get there.

The 28-year-old, from Luss, saw her profile rise dramatically last year after she won the WBC silver super-middleweight title in June and went on to fight two of the top female boxers in the world, Alicia Napoleon and Claressa Shields, in the USA.

She's since returned to home soil, and after spending Christmas with her family, she'll be back in the ring in Glasgow on January 25, fighting Hungary's Eva Bajic at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

READ MORE: Rankin set for New Year fight on home turf

And while those two US fights both ended in points defeats, Rankin, who only turned pro in 2017, says she learned some "valuable lessons" from both contests – and is firmly focussed on becoming Scotland's first ever female professional world boxing champion by the end of this year.

She's set a target of £10,000 from her online fund-raiser to help meet the costs of turning her ambition into reality.

Those costs include training full-time, travelling, kit, medicals and fight licensing fees.

READ MORE: Hannah holds head high after points defeat in US world title tilt

On the appeal website Rankin, who is also a classically-trained bassoonist and music teacher, says: "Some of my achievements in my first year as a professional in 2018 include; winning the WBC Silver Middleweight title, fighting in the USA twice, once for the WBA super middleweight title and then on a Matchroom USA promoted Show on Sky Sports and the streaming service DAZN for the unified WBA, WBC and the IBF middleweight titles against P4P champion Claressa Shields.

"Both of these fights I lost on points but I learnt some valuable lessons progressing me as a fighter and I finished the year ranked WBA #5, WBC #4, IBF #4 in the world and the #1 contender for the EBU European title.

"My goal in 2019 is to become Scotland's first ever female professional world boxing champion and I need your help to do that.

"The cost of training full time, traveling for sparring camps, kit and fight wear, medicals and licensing costs all add up.

"Become part of my journey and follow me on my social media links as I strive towards my dream of being crowned world champion in a sport where your team and public support mean the difference between being able to achieve your dream and falling short.

"Thank you for you support."

Find out more at Hannah's crowdfunding website.

You can also follow Hannah on Facebook, on Twitter and on Instagram.