Alan, from Windsor Road, Crowle, was a keen cyclist before he lost both legs to the superbug, which he caught as a result of infections in leg ulcers.

Doctors at the DRI operated and the Intake hospital's physiotherapy staff helped him learn to walk again, although he still uses a wheelchair most of the time.

Now the 32-year-old is preparing to ride from Land's End to John O'Groats on a handbike - a cycle pedalled by hand - to raise money for the charity When you Wish Upon a Star which aims to make dreams come true for sick children.

Alan is going ahead with the scheme after Balby Road-based National Car Hire lent him a van for the duration of the trip to provide support - and describes the plan as the ultimate challenge

He said: "I have been a wheelchair user since 1998. I am no different from anyone else because I have a disability I still lead a very active life and keeping fit is a massive part of it.

"Having suffered from severe leg ulcers from the age of 11, my left leg had to be amputated in 1997, and my right leg amputated in 1998 due to leg ulcers and MRSA. In 2000 I had to have a further operation on my right leg to amputate through my knee, as the stump would not heal."

He joined a gym after he began to put on weight. After two years of intense physiotherapy, he learned to walk again but found it very difficult and experienced a lot of pain and in 2002 he made the decision to spend time in his wheelchair and get on with his life. Since then he has taken part in a series of gruelling physical challenges.

In 2004 he took part in the London Marathon, which he completed in his wheelchair, raising thousands of pounds for different charities.

Later the same year he bought himself a hand cycle chair and completed the Great North Run, raising money for Get Kids Going a charity that helps disabled children get active and into sports.

The next year he took part in 13 half marathons and 10k races, before riding 500 miles through Vietnam to raise money for Whizz-kidz, a charity which provides specialised wheelchairs to children.

Now he has also started taking part in triathlons which consist of swimming, cycling and running.

Alan says the DRI staff were a major help to him after he had lost his legs. He said: "They physiotherapy department was absolutely fantastic. I received a lot of help from them."

To sponsor Alan log onto www.justgiving.com/alanrayment or call 07739 356488, or write to him at 34 Windsor Road, Crowle, North Lincolnshire DN17 4ES.

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