He raced through fire and sweated his way over obstacles with only one leg and now – thanks to a generous donation – a young man is more than half way to being able to afford a prosthetic limb.

James Hazel, 24, had to have a leg amputated after an horrific motorbike accident in 2013, where he was hit by a tractor, a lorry, a van and a car on the A2.

A new high-tech leg comes with a hefty £70,000 price tag and after an exhausting physical feat this month he raised £1,000 towards it.

However, he was flabbergasted when a letter from The Insurance Charities – which helps those who have worked in the industry – dropped through his letter box with a pledge of £35,000.

James, of Knockhall Road, Greenhithe, spent months in a wheelchair but is determined to get back to an active lifestyle and is currently getting about on crutches.

He said: “I’d been applying everywhere for grants but was starting to get a bit down with it, because I hadn’t heard anything back from anyone.

“Then I got a call from the Insurance charities who said they’d be sending over a substantial amount. I thought maybe, £3,000? But when I saw £35,000 on the letter I couldn’t believe it, I wasn’t expecting anything like that.

“I’ll keep going to raise this money for as long as it takes, but it was starting to look like it was going to be years. This has really given me a positive push and it’s made this goal look far more achievable.”

The Insurance Charities’ chief executive Annali-Joy Thornicroft said: “James contacted us as the charity which helps past and present insurance people and their families who are faced with hardship following a tragedy or difficult life event.

“We hope that our pledge, to meet half of the total cost of the prosthetic, will enable James to reach the target amount soon and that the new leg will help him get back to work and enjoy the active life he had before tragedy struck.”

James’ latest fundraising initiative was the Spartan race through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

There were 20 obstacles over 8km, including ropes and walls to climb which were a huge
challenge, but he managed it.

Together with a team of about 10 others, including friends, his dad, girlfriend and his sister’s boyfriend, they managed to raise about £1,200.

It puts his total up to around £41,000.

James did not use his current NHS prosthetic during the run, because it does not support any weight when bent so is useless on slopes, steps or uneven ground.

Formerly a keen sportsman, James also has plans in the pipeline for a hockey tournament in May to help raise more money.

You can sponsor James or support his events at www.gofundme.com/legforjames.