A one-legged amputee is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on a prosthetic limb this September.

He will be accompanied by his wife who is tackling the climb on crutches.

Mark O'Leary, 36, and his wife Helen Stidwill, 32, are heading to Tanzania in Africa on September 7 to undertake the nine day climb with a group of amputees.

Mr O'Leary, from West Street Lane in Carshalton, lost his leg in a motorbike accident when he was 19 years old. He said: “It took years to come to terms with it, but you have to get on with things.

Since 2008 Mr O'Leary has been taking part in a medical trial which has enabled him to bolt his artificial leg directly onto his skeleton.

He said: “It's been quite a profound experience - it's like I have got my leg back.

“I managed to get on with my life adequately before but I was limited to walking only short distances before my stump would get sore from the hard plastic rubbing against the skin and in hot weather my leg would slip off easily.”

The climb will take the group only one day more than the time normally suggested for the able-bodied. To prepare, they have been hiking together once a month and Mr O'Leary has also been walking every night with his wife.

Mrs Stidwill is suffering from a serious foot injury after falling over at work. Her foot is permanently swollen and she is in constant pain.

Mr O'Leary said: “We hoped her foot would be better but it has turned into a more complicated problem.

“Her challenge is not only a physical one, but she also has to manage the pain. All I have to worry about it not breaking any machinery.”

The group is made up of six or seven amputees, some physiotherapists and also some able-bodied people who want to get involved in fund-raising. They will be raising money for the Limbless Association.

Mr O'Leary said: “Attempting a challenge on this scale will probably be a once in a lifetime experience.

“I will probably be nervous when I get on the plane, but I can't wait to go.”

To find out more or to sponsor Mr O'Leary and his wife visit amputee-adventures.org/mark.