Kieran to be measured for his "millionaire leg" (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Kieran Maxwell of Heighington to be measured for his "millionaire leg"

8:00am Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in News By Andy Walker, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

A TEENAGER who lost a leg to cancer is excitedly waiting to be measured for his new prosthetic limb, which is being bought for him by lottery winners.

Kieran Maxwell, from Heighington , near Darlington, had his left leg amputated after being diagnosed with a cancer that attacks bone and muscle tissue.

The 14-year-old, a keen gymnast, has an NHS-issue prosthetic, but it weighs more than a stone and slows him down.

His new leg is being paid for by Euromillions lottery winners Colin and Chris Weir, from Ayrshire, Scotland, who last year scooped more than £160m in one of Britain’s largest-ever jackpots.

The Weirs offered a five-figure donation to pay for a leg for Kieran after the grandmother of one of his school friends, who lives in the same village as the couple, wrote to them to see if they could help.

Tomorrow, Kieran and his family will travel to the Nuffield clinic, in Newcastle, where a plaster cast will be taken of Kieran’s “stump”.

This will then be used to help experts create the prosthetic, which his mother, Nicola, hopes he will get in about six weeks’ time.

Tomorrow’s appointment will be followed by meetings with experts at the Dorset Orthopaedic Clinic, Hampshire, who will make Kieran’s leg.

Kieran, a student at Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, is enjoying his summer holidays, having recently returned from a family break in Florida.

Last week, he spent a day with officers from Durham Police, having dreamt of being a policeman since he was little.

Mrs Maxwell said the family are also hoping to get Kieran a special leg for his gymnastics competitions.

The Kieran Maxwell Fund was set up to raise funds for Kieran, who will need new prosthetics as he grows.

Mrs Maxwell is keen to hear from anyone willing to donate raffle prizes or auction gifts for a forthcoming fundraising ball.

The ball will be held on Friday, September 28, at Walworth Castle Hotel, County Durham, with proceeds to the fund.

There will be a gymnastics display, live music and threecourse meal. Tickets cost £30.

To book, or offer raffle prizes, call Mrs Maxwell on 01325- 321159, or 07596-193981.