The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Amputee’s message of hope
Man who lost both legs in blast in Afghanistan has visited teenager who had his legs amputated after Formula 4 crash
A double amputee Courier Country racer has delivered a message of hope to a teenage driver who had both his legs amputated after a horrific Formula 4 crash.
David Birrell, who lost both his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010 is pursuing a motorsport dream of taking part in the world’s most famous endurance race.
And the former Black Watch soldier has told 18-year-old Billy Monger he hopes they may one day take to the track together.
Rising star Monger was taking part in an F4 championship round at Donington Park last month when he was involved in a high speed accident with a stationary car.
He was trapped for around 90 minutes as medics and an extraction team carried out the delicate operation to remove him from the wreckage.
A Justgiving page set up to establish a trust for the Surrey youngster, who turned 18 just days ago, has already raised more than £800,000 following support from across the motorsport world, including F1 heroes such as world champions Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.
Monger’s drive and determination to overcome the life-changing crash has already seen him declare his desire to race again and Birrell firmly believes the teenager will achieve his goal after meeting him.
Fifer David, who is currently competing with Woodard Racing in the Britcar endurance championship with the dream of taking part in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour race, drove to Billy’s hospital bedside after making contact with his family through social media.
“There’s been an amazing amount of support for Billy and that is great, but as soon as I saw what had happened I felt I had to make contact with him because I have experienced what he is going through,” said the 30-year-old, who had been destined to pursue a professional boxing career before the roadside improvised explosive device left him in a coma for weeks, his legs destroyed.
Perth-based David added: “I understand more than anyone else what Billy is facing. I was 24 when I was injured; I wasn’t as young as Billy, but I know how hard it is to overcome because you don’t think it’s real.
“It will be hard for him but I plan to be there to support him, to talk to him about how I dealt with my situation and I am only a drive away – I would be ready to get in the car to go down and see him whenever he needs that
“I reckon with his attitude he will race again and he has already said he wants to do that.
“I would love to go down and show him how I race a car with my prosthetic legs and it would be great for us to be in a race car together.”