Hand cycle

My name is Pauline, and this is my story....

I'm a double amputee who lives in Preston. I am a very active woman who loves being outside and enjoying life.

I have use of prosthetic legs, but unfortunately, my nerves keep growing back, proving to be a massive setback for me.

My goal is to ride a bike that I can attach to my wheelchair (handcycle).

I have completed a skydive in the past, and I managed to raise £850 for the rehabilitation centre in Preston that have helped me come so far and contribute to the person I am today.

I also have another skydive set up this year, and I aim to raise funds for the Amputation Foundation, a fantastic charity that provides life-changing experiences for amputees.

I am looking for donations to help purchase a handcycle bike to allow me to continue to raise money for charities.

I lost my first leg above the knee back in 2011 due to vascular problems

. You can imagine that this was a massive lifestyle change for my family and me.

I was a bus driver for Stagecoach, and I loved my job and life, I had to move from my family home, which brought my son up and cherished memories there.

So I set myself a goal of walking again; I was determined, and I eventually achieved this goal in 2012.

I was delighted, loving life and enjoying my first granddaughter. However, in 2015, I lost my second leg. Once again, I was determined to walk again, and I started going to the gym and working super hard.

I can now walk a little bit, but only at home or the gym as I am still learning. My nerves (neuroma) keep growing, so I'm unsure if I can achieve this goal. Therefore, I'm politely requesting money to buy a hand cycle bike, and I would be so grateful for any donations.

The benefits of having a hand-cycle bike would be that I would be able to go out more in the community and build my confidence and self-esteem, meet new people and have a sense of everyday life again.

I pledge to use this handcycle bike to raise further funds for charities close to my heart, one of which would be to complete the Guild Wheel in the coming months. I believe the handcycle would open opportunities for me to be able to contribute to charities and give funds back to good causes.

I will create a 'my journey' page so you can see the journey and where your money has helped bring happiness into other people's lives who have been unfortunate to lose their limbs.