Inspirational Amanda Worne is ready to defy all probability by competing in the London Marathon. Yet just under two years ago the enthusiastic runner and cyclist lay in a hospital bed paralysed from the waist down following a crash on her bike.
Now Amanda, raised in Chichester but who lives in nearby Yapton, has revealed she will undertake the 26-mile course on her specially-adapted hand-cycle in the capital next year to raise money for patients who have suffered spinal injuries.
The mum-of-four has recently hit the headlines when experts from the hit BBC show DIY SOS transformed her home to allow her to cope better in day-to-day living.
Miracle mum Amanda suffered life-changing injuries which left her without the use of her legs in the cycle accident on Bury Hill in the summer of 2015. She is desperate to share pictures of the amazing adjustments made to her house thanks to star presenter Nick Knowles and his team, as well as a dedicated group of volunteers skilled in all the trades needed for the makeover. But the BBC has asked that she keep a lid on the work until the show is aired in around six months.
And Amanda took to Facebook to explain she is willing to hand back donations to help fund an essential wet room, given prior to the Beeb stepping in to help her with the transformation. She said: “Obviously the big build has given my independence back completely. I raised money last summer by jumping out of a plane to build a wet room. DIY SOS hadn’t even contacted me then so I had no idea that this would happen. If people would therefore like the money back that they donated for my wet room please message me.
“Alternatively I will put the money towards a stand up wheelchair that I am trying to save up for. This piece of equipment again gives me so many benefits . I can talk to people at the same height, it aids digestion and circulation and strengthens my bones. Psychologically it is so benefit too. Everyone has been so kind. There are hundreds of really lovely people with huge generous hearts in the world. I am grateful every day for all I have.
“I would also like to say I have entered the London Marathon next year to raise money the SIA people with spinal injuries. I am pretty scared but now my life is sorted I feel I am now in a position to give back.”
