I've become a double leg amputee as a result of an auto-immune disease I developed when I was s teenager. Now in my mid 50's I want to raise money to buy a specialist hand and foot pedal bike for myself. As well as help raise money to buy a second bike for the charity Wheels for All.

One of the symptoms from the beginning of the disease left me with difficulty in walking.

One way I found to help with my mobility problems and general fitness was to cycle.

I used to sometimes commute to my place of work over 6 miles away. I even cycled into central London to meet friends and go to events in the holidays.

When I married, my wife and I used to cycle together. When our children arrived we first bought baby seats, then a trailer and finally their own bikes. We cycled together, going out at weekends and taking the bikes on holiday with us. We've camped and cycled in the New Forest, Scottish highlands, the North York Moors, the United States and even Paris!

This was all fairly straightforward because my medical condition was largely under control.

12 years ago my disease - Polyarteritis Nodosa - flared up and both my legs had to be amputated. One above knee, the other below knee. Just like Douglas Bader.

After my amputations I was able to return to my full time career for 30 years as a lecturer in English. But my cycling abruptly came to an end. Even at the limb fitting centre where I learned how to walk again on prosthetic legs they were doubtful about any possibility of cycling.

Last year I had another life changing event. I had a stroke. Suddenly I realised I had to change my life and really make healthy exercise a top priority.

I took voluntary redundancy, am starting a tuition practice, exercise in a gym three times a week and I am reducing stress. But I'd love to get out on a bike again.

After a lot of research I came across the berkel bike. It's a hand and foot pedal bike and I really think it is going to transform my life.