A MAN who had to have his leg amputated after being involved in a hit-and-run car crash is appealing for the public’s help as he gears up for a 50-mile charity bike ride.

The Comet: Kevin is looking for a road bikeKevin is looking for a road bike (Image: Archant)

Kevin Brennan, who grew up in Stevenage, was aged just 18 when he was involved in a collision which left him struggling to walk.

He had harboured dreams of becoming a footballer – with trials at Luton Town Football Club – but had to have part of his left foot amputated following the crash in 1984, with his lower leg removed 18 months later.

Now aged 50, Kevin has had a static foot brace replaced with a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg, which means he can start cycling for the first time since he was a teenager.

“The prosthetic leg has just changed my life really, it’s amazing. I can do so many things that I couldn’t do before,” said Kevin.

Kevin has lost six-a-half stone through exercise and has now set his sights on a cycling challenge in October with plans to set off in Letchworth GC, riding through Hertfordshire and finishing at the Olympic Park in London.

He has also been given permission to cycle round White Hart Lane – where his beloved Tottenham Hotspur play.

The challenge will raise funds for Help for Heroes, which helps those who have been wounded in Britain’s current conflicts, and YMCA Central Herts – which came to Kevin’s aid six months ago after he was made homeless.

About his chosen charities, he said: “I’m active on social networking websites and speak to amputees who have served in the armed forces. They’ve helped me out a lot emotionally so I wanted to do something for these guys.

“The YMCA found me somewhere to live at the hostel in Welwyn GC and they’ve been so supportive since day one. I personally feel I’ve got to give something back to them.”

Currently Kevin is training on a gym exercise bike as he is unable to afford a road bike.

“It would mean a lot to me if I could get a road bike as it means I will be able to achieve what I’ve set out to do in my first challenge,” said Kevin, who is unemployed but volunteers as a carer for a friend.

“I would be able to carry on using it in the future to raise more money for charity as I want this to be the first of many.”

If you are able to help, email nick.gill@thecomet.net

To sponsor Kevin, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KevinBrennan80km