Dear Friends,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In March 2008 after two serious bouts of blood sepsis that saw the end of two knee replacements, I found myself having to make a very big decision - whether to do away with a knee joint and have the remainder of my leg shortened and fused or have my leg amputated above the knee.  In the absence of any informed advice from my medical team and with just three days in which to make a decision, my family turned to the internet to seek the information I needed.  What became apparent was that there have been great advances in prosthetic technology in recent years. As I wished to continue to enjoy an active lifestyle I opted for amputation purely on the basis that this technology would continue to improve whilst a fused leg would be a burden forever.

Living with amputation has been challenging but I have been very fortunate to have the help and support of my wife, family and friends.  They have been through the highs and lows with me over the past 24 months and have always encouraged me to push the barriers in my battle to challenge my disability.  

Being a motivated person with a sporting background I have enjoyed the challenge of learning to walk with a prosthetic leg and I walk better now than I did when I was struggling with arthritis, but I can also understand why the loss of a limb can have a devastating effect on someone's life.  There are so many changes to adapt to, and sadly for far too many people this can lead to acute depression and low self-esteem.  The loss of a limb is a very big deal and for many, the psychological and physical hurdles that have to be cleared on the road to full recovery can seem insurmountable.  This is where charities like LimbPower help so much by using sport and recreational activities to help the new amputee and their families recognise that the loss of a limb need not exclude  them from leading a full and active life.

There has been a great deal of focus on the "Help for Heroes" campaign that has focussed the spotlight on the appalling injuries, including limb-loss suffered by soldiers returning from Afghanistan.  Whilst no-one would ever wish to deflect this media attention, it should be recognised that whereas there have been some 200 soldiers who have lost limbs in the conflict, there are over 250,000 civilian amputees in the U.K and this number increases by 5,000 every year.  The military casualties receive the very best psychological support, receive financial compensation for their physical loss and are assisted through their rehabilitation by a very strong Peer Support network.  Civilian amputees on the other hand do not receive this level of  practical and financial support and in an attempt to redress the media and public perception somewhat I have agreed to join an International team of civilian amputees who are attempting to reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro next October.

These ordinary people will be attempting the extraordinary - it's never been done before by a civilian team and will hopefully be the subject of television coverage.  It will be a huge personal challenge and if I succeed (when I succeed) I will become the oldest amputee in Britain to have climbed the mountain - so no pressure there then!!

I have a personal sponsorship target of £3,500.00, and I'm going to need all the help I can get to reach this goal.  I know that times are difficult and that many of us are feeling the pinch, but if you are able to either personally donate some money or can organise some fund raising events on my behalf I will be really grateful - every penny will help!!

I've already had two big fund raising efforts this year - on the 2 May 2010 I cycled the 100k Isle of Wight Randonnee where some members of this Kilimanjaro team joined 2,000 other cyclists on a tour of the Island - completed in 6 1/2 hrs. Then on 4 July, I rode the even tougher "Merlin Ride" in West Wales - 70 miles that took in a nearly 2,000 ft climb over The Black Mountains and which I finished in 6 hr 12mins. Now, the "Biggie" is just around the corner and I still have another £1,300.00 to raise.  To all those who have already supported these efforts I give my most sincere thanks, whilst those who have been holding back to see whether the "old git" is still functioning, every penny will count towards my target.  

Thank you for your support.

Wyn Jenkins