Wisbech St Mary man walks 93 miles for best friend’s appeal

A man has taken on the challenge of a 93-mile walk to raise money for his best friend’s appeal to buy a prosthetic leg.

Jacob Troughton is hoping to raise at least £400 for the Billy Lee Back On My Own Two Feet appeal by completing the Peddars Way Coastal Walk in Norfolk.

People across Fenland have rallied round to help Wisbech St Mary man Billy by raising more than £70,000 to fund a new Helix 3d leg, which is not available on the NHS.

Surgeons amputated Billy’s right leg in January after he was diagnosed with a rare cancer.

His parents Spencer and Rebecca, known as Bex, are continuing the appeal and hope to raise an additional £37,000 to pay for two of the five-year services of the limb, which cost £18,500, to take Billy up to the age of 35.

The appeal total now stands at a fantastic £83,497.

Billy and Jacob have been friends for seven years after meeting at Neale Wade Academy, in March.

Jacob, 20, of Wisbech St Mary, began the 93-mile walk in Cromer and was due to finish yesterday evening in Thetford.

He said: “I wanted to do something to help Billy and to take on a bit of challenge.”

The fundraising has also been boosted by a total of £750 donated by Delamore Young Plants.

Staff at the Wisbech St Mary firm raised £561.54 with cake stalls, raffles and games. This was rounded up by managing director Wayne Eady.

Fundraising was also boosted this weekend with £1,800 raised during a bingo in Wisbech St Mary.

Mrs Lee said: “We are really grateful but we still want to keep momentum going.

“The response to the appeal has been incredible.”

If you would like to support Jacob email: troughtonposh@googlemail.com