Kentish Express Ashford & District
Amputee to fulfil marathon dream
A window fitter whose leg had to be amputated after a work fall is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity by running the London Marathon with his daughter.
Chris Luckhurst, 59, from Kenardington, broke his back and shattered his ankle after a fall while working in 2009.
His injuries left him needing a spinal board for eight months, then a spinal jacket for a further six months, and because of the chronic pain he eventually had his right leg amputated in November 2014.
Despite the injury, he always vowed to run a marathon along with his daughter Natasha, 25, who is studying a PhD in immunology at Kingston University.
Mr Luckhurst said: “Natasha always said that when she turned 18 she wanted to run a marathon, but after my accident I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it.
“I fell off a ladder and my ankle never really healed properly. I was having to use crutches all the time for about four years, so I couldn’t go back to work and I had to take so many painkillers.
“I went to see my GP and he referred me up to London. I said I wanted to go back to work, and asked if they could amputate the leg.
“When I told people I was getting it amputated, I had to convince a few of them that I knew what I was doing.”
He had the procedure at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, and has since been walking again without any difficulty.
His prosthetist saw how determined he was to run, and made sure Mr Luckhurst could get a specially designed running blade.
Since then, Mr Luckhurst has been running with the blade, and along with his daughter was chosen to run for the Make A Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children facing life-threatening illnesses.
To find out more or to donate to his cause, visit www.justgiving. com/teamluckhurst.