Campaign Ambassador - Malcolm Hingle

Name: Malcolm Hingle

Sports/Activities: Rowing and Endurance Events

When I was involved in a motorcycle accident during a surveillance operation in 2006, I had no idea how much my life was about to change. What followed were years of surgeries and my left leg was amputated above the knee in Jully 2011. At that moment, I decided I had two choices: feel sorry for myself or get on with life. For me, there was only one option.

Before my accident, I had always enjoyed pushing myself physically and mentally, whether climbing mountains or taking on endurance challenges. That mindset became vital during my recovery. After years of limited mobility, I had to learn to walk again from scratch. Building strength was one of the biggest challenges. I had lost muscle, stamina and confidence, but with determination, and the support of the physiotherapy team at Whipps Cross Hospital and the specialists at Harold Wood Limb Centre, I slowly rebuilt myself.

I wouldn't have achieved any of it alone. My wife, Shirley, supported me throughout my recovery, while physiotherapist Helena Train and the prosthetics teams who fitted and refined my limbs played a huge role in helping me regain my independence. One of my first goals was simply to walk up the aisle on my wedding day, which I proudly achieved in September 2011.

As my confidence grew, I began setting new challenges. While recovering, a consultant suggested I needed something to aim for, so I signed up to walk 100km across Jordan in aid of Parkinson's UK. The challenge seemed impossible at first, especially as I was still learning to walk with a prosthetic limb, but months of physiotherapy, cycling and training made it achievable. In October 2012, I completed the trek to Petra, proving to myself that amputation did not mean the end of adventure. That success inspired me to keep pushing forward. After meeting fellow fundraisers and wounded veterans, I took on an even bigger challenge: cycling more than 400 miles from Paris to London in support of Help for Heroes. It required specialist equipment, relentless training and a great deal of perseverance, but crossing the finish line alongside injured service personnel was one of the proudest moments of my life.

For me, challenge and exercise are not optional. They provide purpose, motivation and a reminder of what is possible. Looking to the future, I want to continue inspiring others facing life-changing injuries or disabilities to believe in their own potential. My dream is not simply to complete the next challenge, but to show that adversity does not define you. Life-changing events may alter the path you are on, but they do not have to stop the journey. Every challenge overcome is the start of a new chapter.