AMPUTEE Andrew Lewis was so inspired by the Paralympics that he wants to be on the plane to the next Games in Rio in 2016.

Go-getter Andrew's dream of a career in the Parachute Regiment was dashed by an accident involving a 38-tonne truck – but since then he has learned to fly and runs a boxing fitness class at Club Gingers gym in Lydney.

He needs to raise £5,000 to buy a blade running leg to take part in the Amputee Games at Stoke Mandeville next year – and ultimately the Paralympics.

Andrew's fund-raising drive has started with sponsorship from a number of Forest firms including Club Ginger, GMF Motor Factors, RW Bearings. Forest Car Body Corrections and South West Trailers and his bosses at Airbus in Bristol have offered 20 per cent towards the cost of the new leg.

He is also hoping that Foresters will rally round and support a number of fund-raisers that are being planned.

He said: "After watching the inspirational Paralympics recently, the flame in my heart is burning strong again.

"The support from my family has been fantastic but with a new hi-tech prosthetic leg I will finally feel like I'm equal again."

The leg that Andrew wants is manufactured by American firm Ottobock and will not be available in this country until next month.

Andrew was just 16 when he was in collision with a truck while he was on his motorbike but Bristol Royal Infirmary saved the leg.

Four years later, in 2003, he took the decision to have the right leg amputated below the knee because of the problems it caused.

He said: "There were always going to be obstacles that would stand in my way, I just had to learn to overcome them and do my best."

The first fund-raising event will be a clay pigeon shoot at Woolaston on September 29 at 2.30pm.

Details of events can be found on Andrew's Facebook page – search for best foot forward (project blade)