A FORMER Riddlesdown High School pupil who had his leg amputated in life-saving cancer surgery needs £70,000 for a prosthetic limb so he can walk again.
Billy Lee, who grew up in Sundale Avenue, Selsdon, was diagnosed with an aggressive 10cm sarnovia sarcoma tumour 15 days before his 20th birthday in November.
His femur then broke through the stress of the tumour on December 1, making him bedbound over Christmas in Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, for eight weeks.
Despite two sets of high dosage chemotherapy treatments to reduce the tumour, results last month showed his cancer was more aggressive than originally thought, with Billy's only chance of survival to have an immediate full leg and half-hip amputation in Birmingham the week after.
Consultants told Billy and his family he would have to spend his whole life on crutches or in a wheelchair, as the NHS could not fund a prosthetic limb for an amputation of this kind.
The only way Billy, who was months away from completing his three year electrician's apprenticeship when diagnosed, will be able to walk again is to raise £70,000.
His aunt and mother's twin sister Jane Lee, from Forestdale, said: "From the very beginning it was made very clear to him about his leg; he was very much of the mindset that if it got rid of the cancer he wanted to have it done.
"He has been trying to have a positive outlook."
His family, who moved with Billy to Cambridgeshire five years ago, now hope to raise the money in time for when his scar has healed and settled in nine to 12 months.
The money raised will be used to buy a Helix 3D prosthetic leg, which costs £70,000 and needs five yearly servicing, with replacement parts costing £18,500.
Billy, who also attended Selsdon Primary School, had told his parents he would never go out with his mates again or take his girlfriend to a restaurant due to worries about his body image.
His parents, Rebecca, 44, and Spencer, 42, have also been told he will experience depression as a result of the loss of his leg.
But he has already been out with his friends and girlfriend, and his aunt says he is "embracing the challenge" of the fundraising.
Billy's college course has also been placed on hold while he continues his rehabilitation, and his college is committed to helping him pass with flying colours.
Jane, 44, who appeared in five series of ITV show Airline, said: "He's a very sensitive, lovely, caring, happy-go-lucky boy who is always thinking of other people.
"He's one of those people that, even when he was in hospital and you would ask him how he is, he would just ask straight back 'how are you?'"
There will be up to 30 fundraising events for Billy in the next few months, including a sold-out clairvoyant evening on Friday, March 13, at Selsdon Park Hotel.
To donate to Billy's 'back on my own 2 feet' fund visit www.gofundme.com/Billyon2feet
