Hi there. My name, if you didn't know is Rob McIlroy. I live on Portland, Dorset.

I lost my lower leg in a fishing accident over 30 years ago at the age of 26.

Since then I have managed some amazing achievements, including running for my country in the paralympic world championships, where I won a silver in the 4 x 400m relay.

I've also competed for Weymouth Athletics Club and Rowing Club.

Since then, my fitness as been up and down, but over recent year's, I have suffered immensely with an ill fitting prosthesis from my local limb centre.

Up to 2018, I was training and just started competing for Portland Cross-fit Club, after which, I got an infection in my leg, due to an ill fitting prosthesis.

Since then, I have had (roughly) 9 (nine) new sockets made, where only one has fitted well, which was last year in 2024, and started getting fit again, with the help of a local pilates instructor.

This year alone, I have had 4 new sockets, with a total of 16 separate clinic appointments, which have all been a failure. To the point, where I have lost all faith in the clinic and have recently started the process of changing clinics to Bristol, which is miles away.

This may work, but it may not. From my experience over the past 30 year's, the NHS service has gone down hill. It has been under funded and the work force have been completely over worked, resulting in shabby workmanship, and far too many mistakes have been made (honestly, I could write a book about it). I don't say this lightly!!! Especially, as the NHS saved my life and I am forever indebted.

Life is short and sitting at home resting my leg, when I should be out living my life has it's consequences to my well being and at this point in time, I have decided, that enough, is enough!!!

I do feel very embarrassed asking for financial help, but at this point in time, I'm actually desperate. Hence the plea for help.

So, here I am. Pleading to the good nature to anyone that might want to help my cause and to try and get back the quality of life, as I once had as an amputee. In particular, I wondering, If there is a company that may be able to sponsor me and pay for a private prosthesis, or individuals that may be able to afford to help. There's talks of fundraisers from friend's, but I just wanted to get the ball rolling.

I have now opened up a separate bank account, where any Go Fund Me money can be transferred to and where I can keep the outgoing's strictly to the chosen, private limb centre and maintain transparency of any money received.

The amount of £15,000 is estimated by Dorset Orthopaedic's in Ringwood, but that is the top end of their estimate. So I'm hoping it will be a lot less. I shall also be shopping around to see which clinic is the right one for me. The fund's would also go towards the up-keep of the socket, once it's made.

If there are any question's you'd like to ask, or if there is anything I could do to repay your support, I'd be more than happy to discuss this with you.

Finally, I'd like to thank you for reading my story and especially to anyone that is willing to help me achieve my goal of a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Yours truely

Rob McIlroy x