Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Double amputee still has a need for speed
Brave Alan prepares for West Highland Way
Ago-ahead Airdrie grandfather – who has lost both his legs – is taking on the West Highland Way for charity.
Alan Taylor’s right leg was amputated in 2010 after he suffered an aneurysm, and he lost his other leg six years later following a blood clot.
The brave and determined 62-yearold wheelchair user is a lifelong motorsport fan – and he retains his need for speed.
Alan volunteers for charity Finding Your Feet, which supports amputees in “achieving rehabilitation and independence”, and will tackle the 150km trek over seven days this summer – with the help of a state-ofthe-art four-wheel drive machine.
After being warned that some of the paths on the route would be tricky for his electric scooter, Finding Your Feet got in touch with off- road mobility device manufacturers Terrain Hopper, who kindly offered to donate the vehicle for Alan’s journey.
And, as he explained, it’s a trek that will be a real family affair. Alan said: “My daughter Vicki is doing five days with me and my son Darren will join me for the last two days.
“Members of the Finding Your Feet team are going to be popping in and out as well to offer their support.
“When I had my legs, I did a lot of cycling and hillwalking, but this will be a massive challenge.
“Even though I will be sitting down, it is going to be physically demanding because of all the rocks and boulders about.
“But the Terrain Hopper I am going to be using is excellent; I’ve done a lot of research into it and practised using it.
“I will get the machine delivered a few days before I go; I am starting off at Milngavie and cannot wait.”
Grandfather- of- four Alan credits Finding Your Feet with helping him turn his life around and since being introduced to the charity last year, has begun swimming, visiting amputees in hospital and even tried go-karting.
He went on: “I opted to have my other leg cut off in 2016, which is not something that everyone would do.
“But it turned out to be the best decision I’d ever made as I woke up the morning after my operation and the pain had disappeared overnight.
“However, emotionally and physically, I had been through a lot; in between each leg being removed I had to have double bypass surgery after I suffered a heart attack.
“They say a cat has nine lives and I hope that’s the case for me too as I’ve used up four or five already!
“Before meeting with Finding Your Feet, I was stuck in the house watching daytime television.
“I heard about the charity through someone I’d met and when I went to the first meeting I thought, ‘is this for me?’
“But I returned and have never looked back; I began volunteering and I’m now able to talk with others going through amputations.
“Just sitting in a room with people in the same boat as me made me realise that things weren’t all bad.
“Finding Your Feet has given me my confidence back and I’m doing this to repay them.
“I’d also like to show other amputees and disabled people that you can still achieve things you thought beyond your capability.”
Alan, who celebrated his ruby wedding anniversary with wife Jeanette last year, was born in Jedburgh but has called Airdrie his home for the past 25 years.
His passion for motorsport came from his father Danny, who sadly died when Alan was only 12.
Alan said: “My dad founded the Berwick Bandits Speedway club in 1968, having previously promoted for the sport in Glasgow.
“Everyone kept telling him it wouldn’t last, but here we are 50 years later and the club is still going strong.
“Unfortunately, my dad passed away at the end of the club’s first season and wasn’t able to take in its lengthy success.
“He started me on the road to becoming a rider and lifelong fan of speedway and while I hadn’t prepared for being in a wheelchair during my retirement years, I am not letting it stop me from taking on huge challenges.”
Founder of Finding Your Feet, and quadruple amputee, Corinne Hutton added: “Seeing Alan take on this challenge is absolutely amazing.
“After we helped him initially, he’s now supporting and setting an example for others and that’s the beautiful thing about how our charity has grown; it’s a community.”
Alan is setting off on his week-long hike on June 4 and to donate to his fundraising campaign, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/alantaylorwhw/
For more on Finding Your Feet, go online at www.findingyourfeet.net