A massive community charity drive will celebrate the fruits of its success when Billy Lee and his family travel to Dorset to have his bionic leg fitted.
Billy, 20, whose leg and part of his hip was amputated to save his life after suffering a rare and aggressive form of cancer, will return to Wisbech St Mary walking on two legs.
Writing on the Billy Lee campaign Facebook page, his mum Rebecca wrote: “Billy is off to Dorset Wednesday for a few days which can only mean one thing - he will be coming home on two legs.
“Woohoo, we can’t wait to post pictures next weekend for you all too see what your kind and generous donations and support will have achieved for our son.
”A huge thank you to everyone that organised Billy Lee funday, Marina and Stuart Norris, Jackie Ford, Martin Holmes and Paul Albutt.
“So many names to mention, you know who you are, but our biggest thanks to all of you and to everyone that came to the day to ensure it’s success.
“Billy couldn’t believe looking around that everyone involved was there to help him.
“Even after so many events it is still very humbling to experience, knowing you are all their to support our son.”
The new leg gives Billy plenty of time to get used to it before celebrating his 21st birthday at the end of November.
The specialist centre in Devon will be fitting an Ottobock Helix 3D leg which uses ground-breaking technology to give a more natural walk.
It has three-dimensional pelvic rotation which mimics the natural movement of the human body unlike other prosthetic hinged hips.
The design helps users start their step more smoothly and makes it easier to extend the leg during walking.
“The results are dramatic,” said the Otto Bock website which adds that users will “spend much less energy thinking about the next step and experience less pain in the back and joints.”
Ottobock, makers of the bionic leg that Billy will be walking on, has been a partner in the Paralympic Games since 1988 and last year provided technical support for the first Invictus Games, a contest that saw more than 400 wounded soldiers from 14 nations compete in nine different sports including indoor rowing, wheelchair basketball and road cycling,
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here