AN amputee and former England boxer says essential upgrades and maintenance to his prosthetic legs have cost him his home, a normal family life and more than £100,000.

For ten years Neil Kell has battled against a number of factors beyond his control to keep a prosthetic that fits and works.

At the age of 26 the father-of-two was in the passenger seat on his way to work when the van he was travelling in crashed near Durham City.

He woke to find he had lost his leg from below the knee.

Since then Mr Kell, of Trimdon Station, near Sedgefield, has fought to regain his independence and mobility but faces a continued struggle due to the nature of his amputation.

“I’ve had about six legs in ten years,” said the 36-year-old. “It’s cost at least £100,000 and in the last couple of years I’ve had to get lots of help from lots of people. It’s amazing how generous people are.”

Mr Kell boxed for England as a child and teenager until a broken jaw and exams took him out of the game. But his love for the sport, running and keeping fit never waned.

After the crash he underwent rehabilitation, was walking within three months and started doing odd-jobs for money.

He was given two prosthetic legs from the NHS but then went private to get something he could get around more easily on, and try to run in.

“I just started putting weight on and felt horrible about myself,” he added.

“Training was my life up till then and I used to run every day.”

However, private legs and even the upkeep of the NHS prosthetics have come at a price.

Because of the changing shape of his leg - due to weight change or natural shrinking from muscle loss - he has to buy and replace not just just the prosthetic but expensive items needed alongside.

These include gel socks to cushion the leg, sockets which the leg rests in and pins which connect the gel sock to the socket which itself is connected to the structure of the leg.

On top of that is the foot itself and specially designed socks that wear away quickly through use.

Each private leg has cost between £6,000 and £12,000 and also requires two costly trips to a London clinic.

The bills have forced Mr Kell and partner Kelly Cheesey to give up a home for private renting and make sacrifices in their family life.

The pair have been helped by insurance claims for which they are no longer eligible plus donations and funds raised through raffles, businesses, members of public who they are keen to thank.

Most recently Stephen Kerr Plastering, of Peterlee, and Baxketh Waste Disposals, of Hartlepool, donated nearly £1,300.

They have pledged future sponsorship and in return Mr Kell will brand his leg with the business logos to show his gratitude.

Miss Cheesey said: “I don’t think they realise it’s not just Neil they are helping but the family and kids.”

To offer sponsorship or to donate email kelly101985@hotmail.com