Cycling hero's brave new journey

A former paracycling champion has completed his last ride before having his legs voluntarily amputated due to a rare medical condition.

Tom Staniford is just one of 16 people in the world with MDTP Syndrome which means he cannot store fat beneath his skin.

Because he is unable to walk any distance, the 35-year-old is at an increasing risk of infection.

But having his legs amputated at the knee will give him a new lease of life as he will be able to wear prosthetics.

Around 50 cyclists joined Tom, from Exeter, for his final outing, many signing a book of condolence he had opened for his soon-to-be-lost legs.

Despite the life-changing operation, Tom remained upbeat about the future.

He said:"It’s emotional, sure, but it’s joyful too. It’s a celebration. I’ve had 35 wonderful years with my legs and achieved more than I ever thought possible."

Tom is no stranger to adversity. In 2005, while cycling with a friend on a country lane in Devon, he was involved in a serious collision with a car. Thrown through the windscreen, he suffered multiple life-threatening injuries, including a brain haemorrhage, fractured eye socket, broken ribs, collapsed lung, shattered collarbone, broken wrist and toes, and both knees severely torn open down to the bone.

The remote location meant the Devon Air Ambulance had to be scrambled, and Tom suffered cardiac arrest twice en route to hospital. Doctors said he would not have survived a traditional road ambulance journey.

In recognition of the role the air ambulance played in saving his life, he chose the service as one of four charities to benefit from his farewell charity ride.

In 2011, Tom’s determination saw him crowned National Para-Cycling Circuit Race Champion, and he hopes the upcoming operation will open new doors to compete again as an amputee athlete.

Looking to the future, he added: "This operation presents a whole new world for me. I’m excited about the opportunities and the chance for greater mobility. It’s the start of a new adventure.”