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Having suffered from severe leg ulcers from the age of 11, my left leg had to be amputated in 1997, and my right leg amputated in 1998 due to leg ulcers and MRSA. In 2000 I had to have a further operation on my right leg to amputate through my knee, as the stump would not heal.

Since being in a wheelchair I started to put on a lot of weight and I felt very uncomfortable with myself.  Therefore, in 2001 I joined the gym at Scunthorpe Leisure centre. I enjoyed it a great deal and went a couple of times a week. The gym and equipment are very accessible and the staff more than willing to help if I needed assistance. My strength improved and I even managed to lose some of the weight gained.

For 2 years, after intense Physiotherapy, I learnt to walk again but found it very difficult and experienced a lot of pain. Therefore, in 2002 I made the decision to spend time in my wheelchair and get on with life, as I had missed out on so much.

Before I had my legs amputated I was a long distance lorry driver, and I went back to work for the same company this time as Transport Manager. I was in that post for 4½ years and enjoyed every minute of it. However, I decided to move on as the job was taking over my life. I now have 2 jobs; I work at Scunthorpe General Hospital as a Ward Clerk and at Scunthorpe Leisure Centre helping to get disabled people active and into sport.

In 2004 I took part in the London Marathon, a massive challenge, which I completed in my ‘day’ chair, raising thousands of pounds for different charities: Sense (deaf & blind people) Cancer Research, Lindsey Lodge Hospice and St Oswalds Church in Crowle.

I enjoyed taking part in the marathon so much that in September 2004 I invested in a hand cycle chair and completed the Great North Run. Raising money for Get Kids Going a charity that helps disabled children get active and into sports.

I set myself the biggest challenge of all for the year 2005. I was to attempt to hand cycle 500km over Vietnam & Cambodia. I pushed myself to the limits in 2005 and on the run up to going out to Vietnam I took part in and completed 13 half marathons and 10k races. I flew out to Vietnam on the 3^rd November 2005 and completed the 500km in only 6 days. I was the first person in the world to attempt and complete the challenge in a wheelchair. The team raised over £20,000 for the charity Whizz-kidz, that supply specialised wheelchairs to children.

July 2006 saw me take up another challenge as I entered my first Triathlon. A Triathlon consists of three sports, swimming, cycling and running. I have recently been classified by British Triathlon therefore next year could see me enter the first Disable National Championships in the UK.  The training is very demanding but I enjoy every minute of it. I have 5 Triathlons planned this year plus the Great North Run in September and I have already completed the Lincoln & Manchester 10k and the Wakefield Duathlon.

I have achieved so much over the last few years, it has taken a lot of hard work from me, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. This year has seen me complete my A levels in Sport & Recreation Teaching & Coaching and I am looking forward to coaching other disable people to reach their goal in life. I dedicate a lot of my time to raising money for different charities. I also give motivational talks in Schools, Colleges and the workplace about my charity work.

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