AN amputee who lost his leg in a road crash is to fight for the chance to compete against able-bodied athletes for Team GB.
Andy Macleod was just 18 when he suffered a brain injury and leg trauma in Fort William six years ago.
The adventure tourism student was cycling through the Highland town when he was struck by a vehicle travelling at more than twice the 30mph speed limit. Scaffolder Graham Douglas was sentenced to jail time and a roads ban as a result.
Since the incident, Lewis man Andy has returned to sports including off-road cycling and hiking, and climbing Ben Nevis wearing a prosthetic foot on the first anniversary of the incident.
A compensation package agreed in March will help provide sport- specific prosthetics for the rest of his life, with specialist devices for running and other activities.
Now the qualified snowboarding instructor, is signed up for a six-month athlete training programme with the home nations team and aims to compete against able-bodied opponents in snowboard contests next year.
He said: “My life changed forever as a result of the accident, but I still get a rush of adrenaline from the same sports now as I did before it happened. I’m determined not to let my injuries hold me back from doing anything that I want to do. The next few months should be exciting, and as well as some competitive action in able-bodied events, I’m keen to push for the Winter Paralympics in 2022.”
Macleod, who featured in a BBC Alba documentary earlier this year, was studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands and heading to a friend’s house when the incident happened.
There is no public funding available to support his Team GB ambitions and the legal firm that acted in his case has stepped in to provide a new board for the upcoming training camp and contests.
Beth Speakman of Watermans Accident Claims and Care said: “Andy has taken a harrowing, traumatic experience and not let it affect his positivity or passion for living life to the full. He deserves all the support he can get as he looks to compete for Team GB at an elite level.”
Macleod added: “The past six years have been a long, challenging process. I hope I can perform well and show what I’m capable of.”
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