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About The Amputation Foundation

Personalised Support for Life after Limb Loss

The Amputation Foundation is a unique charity that empowers amputees through education, advocacy, and support.

  • Our Story
  • Our Vision
  • Our Impact

The Amputation Foundation was born from two extraordinary individuals: a brave military veteran who suffered life-changing injuries in Afghanistan and a resilient civilian who overcame the aftermath of a severe road traffic accident. United by their experiences and driven by a passion to support others, they laid the foundation of our charity.

We’re a charity and a community dedicated to providing immediate, empathetic, and effective support to amputees and their families. We collaborate with various support networks and groups across the UK, ensuring everyone who reaches out to us finds a mentor who can truly relate to their experience and provide personalised support.

Our transformative support covers a range of services, including support groups, a dedicated helpline, practical workshops on prosthetics and daily skills, alongside guidance on benefits, legal matters, and retraining. Since founding in 2017, we have empowered countless amputees and their families to regain independence and embrace life post-amputation.

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Years Combined Experience

Our charity was created by amputees with a passion for helping and supporting others.

  • Supportive Community
  • Practical Workshops
  • Comprehensive Guidance
  • Empowering Education
  • Regular Contact
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What We Do

We Make the Transition to Life as an Amputee as Painless as Possible

If you’re starting a new life as an amputee, our charity provides several avenues of support to help you rebuild your life and adjust to your new circumstances.

Legal Guidance

We provide essential information to help navigate the complexities of benefits and legal rights.

Prosthetic Centre Support

We offer advice and insights into choosing the right prosthetics.

Support Groups

Creating spaces for connection, sharing experiences, and mutual support.

Ongoing Support

We're here to support every step of your rehabilitation journey, helping you meet and connect with fellow amputees.

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Our Team

Changing lives takes a dedicated team! Meet the passionate volunteers, tireless staff, and generous trustees who power our impactful charity.

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Stephen Cruse

Founder

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Deborah Boardman

Trustee

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Aaron Moon

Trustee

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Alec Hughes

Trustee/Treasurer

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Alisha Wright

Trustee

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Chris Whiteley

Chairman

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Stephen Cruse

Founder

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Kelley Schruyers

Volunteer

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Chris Whiteley

Chairman

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Cathy Harrell

Volunteer

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Tony Parkins

Hospital Liaison Officer (HLO)

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Kirsty Bloor

Ambassador

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Paul Collis

Ambassador

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Rebecca Slater

Ambassador

Help Us to Help Others

We strive to create a world where every amputee has the support, resources, and community needed to thrive, but we can’t do it alone.

Please consider donating to support our vital work. Every penny counts!

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Meet the Team

Stephen Cruse

In February 2008, during a journey through New South Wales, Australia, I encountered a life-altering event: a significant road traffic collision that resulted in me becoming a bilateral transtibia amputee.

Throughout the challenging process of rehabilitation, I had the fortune of meeting another individual who, despite facing similar circumstances, exuded an extraordinary sense of optimism and resilience. Their inspiring outlook ignited a flame within me.

Upon my return to the UK, I was disheartened by the impersonal and uninspired support systems available for individuals experiencing limb loss. This realisation ignited my passion to foster a community driven by empowerment, support, and motivation for those navigating similar journeys.

Meet the Team

Deborah Boardman

Deborah became an Amputation Foundation trustee in 2023 and joined us with 26 years of commercial business experience gained in the HR, People & Talent sector. With a strong background in recruitment, strategic talent acquisition & workforce planning & management, Deborah supports AF with employment related matters. Having spent her more recent years as an Operations Director, Deborah also brings a wealth of experience in Governance, Risk, Compliance, Supply Chain, PMO, Legal & Audit and is able to assist AF operations with a broad spectrum of needs as and when required.

Deborah has been a supporter of Amputation Foundation since its inception having been acquainted with one of its founders through a family connection. She is passionate about the work we do in supporting amputees and is committed to supporting our back-office operations enabling our front line workers to focus on the real value work that AF undertakes in helping people when they most need.

On a personal level, Deborah is an avid Everton FC season ticket holder and enjoys a healthy level of friendly banter with our Liverpool FC supporting founder. Having worked and lived in London, Cardiff, Malaga, Lyon, and Sydney she loves her travel, languages and generally meeting people from wherever they may hail. An aspiring foodie (the eating not the cooking) and a lover of a tipple or two with good company, Deborah is a people person who outside of work holds family and friends as life priorities.

Meet the Team

Aaron Moon

My name is Aaron Moon, and I’m a former Royal Marines Commando. Enlisting at the age of 18 in 2006, I embarked on a transformative journey through the rigorous 32-week training of the Royal Marines, emerging as one of the country’s elite adorned with the coveted green beret. My time in the Marines not only honed my skills but also granted me invaluable insights into life and myself. I traversed the globe, immersing myself in diverse cultures and seizing extraordinary experiences.

As a testament to my athleticism, I proudly represented both the Marines and the Navy in rugby, a sport I hold dear to my heart. In 2009, I was deployed to Afghanistan, where I embraced the solemn duty of serving my country with unwavering dedication.

However, fate took a drastic turn when my vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device (IED), resulting in a cascade of injuries that forever altered my trajectory. Despite the harrowing ordeal, I persevered through multiple life-saving surgeries and arduous rehabilitation. Ultimately, faced with the daunting prospect of a life with a permanent disability, I made the courageous decision to undergo a leg amputation in 2010.

November 2011 marked the end of my military service, thrusting me into uncharted territory at the tender age of 24. Yet, anchored by the indomitable spirit instilled by the Royal Marines, I refused to succumb to despair.

Harnessing my experience and resilience, I ventured into personal training, establishing my own gym to empower others and advocate for disability inclusion in fitness. My path intersected with that of Chris Whiteley, a visionary behind Challenge 4 Change—an organisation dedicated to empowering individuals from all walks of life. Inspired by its mission, I seized the opportunity to effect positive change, leveraging my own narrative to inspire others to transcend their perceived limitations.

As I reflect on my journey, I’ve embraced opportunities to share my story as a motivational speaker, captivating audiences with tales of perseverance and triumph. In 2020, I shattered barriers once again, becoming the world’s first amputee indoor skydiving instructor—an embodiment of the limitless possibilities awaiting those undeterred by adversity.

Today, fuelled by an insatiable drive to push boundaries and effect meaningful change, I remain committed to exploring new challenges and empowering others to realize their full potential.

Meet the Team

Alec Hughes

Hi, my name is Alec, or Al as most people call me, and I have been a Trustee of Amputation Foundation since its inception. My role has been to quite simply offer whatever support and guidance I can to Steve and his fantastic team of staff and volunteers, gained through my knowledge of running businesses and working with charities.

Outside of the charity, I am married with two children, am a season ticket holder at Everton FC and love to ride my motorbike whenever I can.

Meet the Team

Alisha Wright

Hi, I’m Alisha. With over 13 years of experience in the finance and treasury division of the banking sector, I currently focus on navigating the intricate landscape of regulatory requirements and essential capabilities crucial for all UK banks. Based in Wigan, I conduct my professional endeavors from the comfort of my home, accompanied by my beloved canine companions.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I am driven by a deep-seated passion for aiding both humans and animals alike, dedicating my spare time to volunteer work whenever opportunities arise.

Meet the Team

Chris Whiteley

With over 15 years of dedicated experience in the charitable sector, I’m a seasoned professional with a passion for continual learning. Currently, I proudly serve as the Chair of AF, where my primary focus is on laying down a resilient foundation poised for growth and development. Collaborating closely with visionary Founder Steve and our dedicated team, I’m committed to realizing his inspiring vision.

One of my proudest achievements has been establishing the Ambassador role for eight remarkable and devoted amputees, an initiative showing promising early signs. My core responsibilities revolve around five guiding principles: ensuring AF’s safety, fostering absolute clarity, cultivating consistency, driving quality, and maintaining discipline.

Before my tenure in the charitable sector, I spent 16 years as a Physical Education officer in HM Prison service. Additionally, I enjoyed a distinguished rugby career spanning 16 seasons, playing semi-professionally for esteemed clubs such as Salford, London, Doncaster, Carlisle, and Barrow prior to the Superleague era. I hung up my boots at 52, following a memorable yet humbling experience facing my ex-colleagues’ sons during a match in Barrow.

Off the field, I confess to being a “petrol head,” indulging in my passion for classic cars, albeit at the expense of my wallet. While I maintain a laid-back demeanor in most situations, my occasional forays onto a soapbox and my tendency toward “White Knight” syndrome underscore my convictions. An avid lover of the outdoors, I find solace and connection with remarkable individuals in nature’s embrace.

Meet the Team

Kelley Schruyers

Hello, I’m Kelley Schruyers, a proud 43-year-old mother of two wonderful children. My life has been a tapestry of diverse careers, ranging from massage therapy to supporting students in a college setting. However, my journey has been marked by profound challenges.

At the age of 10, I faced a life-altering event when a house fire tragically claimed the lives of most of my family, including both parents, my twin, and older sister. Left with only a sister and a brother, I navigated a tumultuous upbringing with scarce support.

Despite the odds stacked against me, I’ve emerged triumphant in adulthood, defying the expectations of doctors who doubted my capabilities. Every day presents its own set of hurdles, but I’ve learned to confront them with unwavering resilience—a trait shared by many.

Becoming an amputee at such a young age was a monumental challenge, but it also ignited a flame of determination within me. Now, as I reflect on my journey, I’m filled with immense pride for all that I’ve accomplished. And amidst the trials and triumphs, I’ve found solace and belonging in the embrace of the Amputation Foundation.

As a proud ambassador for this remarkable charity, I’ve discovered a newfound sense of purpose—a community where I can share my experiences, offer support, and advocate for those facing similar struggles. Together, we stand as a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of finding a family to call our own.

Meet the Team

Cathy Harrell

Hi to all you fellow amputees. What a journey we’ve all had!!

I was born with a rare genetic condition. I am an above knee amputee and started wearing a prosthetic leg when I was 2 yrs old. I’ve seen many changes in attitudes to disability and developments in prosthetics since then!

My daughter fortunately does not carry the faulty gene and has legs up to her armpits! It’s so good to be a part of AF, an organisation that is here to support us, after such a life changing event, and gives a positive view of life after amputation.

Our support group is based in Leicester and meets on the ‘Final Friday’ of every month – except December – from 10-12 noon. We are in the process of changing our venue, so if you’re interested please email me at [email protected]. We have recently started to visit people in hospital either prior to or after their amputations to give support.

As a group we have different interests and backgrounds and we all push the boundaries in various ways.
Some of us have done a ‘Sky Dive’ to raise funds. I have been lucky enough to complete a paragliding course and have been skiing in the Alps. Please do get in touch if you feel we can help in any way.

Meet the Team

Tony Parkins

My name is Tony, and I am passionate about helping amputees. As a right leg amputee above the knee due to blood clots in 2009, I became a service user of the Amputation Foundation, and later volunteered to join the team as the HLO. In this role, I build relationships with hospitals and prosthetic centers, allowing us to offer support and advice to amputees on hospital wards. I also answer questions and queries via phone and email, finding the work extremely rewarding.

Meet the Team

Kirsty Bloor

Hi! I’m Kirsty. For the past 29 years, I’ve navigated life as an amputee due to a birth defect that left me without a fibula, with only two tiny toes, and hindered growth in my right leg. Thanks to a remarkable procedure known as Syme ankle disarticulation, I’ve overcome challenges and discovered new strengths along the way.

The Amputation Foundation has played a crucial role in my journey, nurturing my confidence and fostering the development of my counseling skills. Even after all these years, I continue to be amazed by the insights and resilience of our new members, who never fail to inspire me with their innovative approaches to life.

Moreover, the Amputation Foundation has gifted me with lifelong friendships, for which I am deeply grateful. Volunteering with AF has become a passion of mine, allowing me to be the support system I wished I had during my early days as an amputee, devoid of guidance and advice.

In essence, my involvement with the Amputation Foundation not only enriches my life but also allows me to pay it forward, making a positive difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges.

Meet the Team

Paul Colliss

My name is Paul Colliss. In 2017, I found myself caught in a serious Road Traffic Crash that left my right leg with severe injuries. Over the course of two challenging years, I underwent six surgeries in a valiant attempt to salvage it. However, by June 2019, the decision was made for an elective above-knee amputation. Following a dedicated regimen of physiotherapy, I was fitted with my first prosthetic limb.

It was during this time of transition that I stumbled upon a poster from the Amputation Foundation (AF) at a Leicestershire Mobility Centre. The poster advertised a local monthly Friday morning gathering, where individuals like myself could come together for coffee, tea, and camaraderie. Intrigued, I decided to attend my first meeting in September 2021, and what I found there was truly inspiring.

Since that initial encounter, I’ve become a regular attendee at our drop-in sessions. Together, we share stories, offer support, and yes, share plenty of laughter. It’s not just a forum for exchanging experiences; it’s a source of invaluable advice on a myriad of topics, from navigating daily challenges to accessing essential services for individuals with disabilities.

Our group has evolved beyond our monthly gatherings; we’ve become a tight-knit community that extends beyond our regular meetings. Whether we’re engaging in social activities or simply catching up, the bonds we’ve formed have become a cornerstone of support and companionship in my journey toward adaptation and resilience.

Meet the Team

Rebecca Slater

Hello, I’m Becca Slater. I’m 28 years old. At the age of 21 I was involved in a major RTA that resulted in a RAE amputation, a broken back and many reconstructive surgeries on my ankle. 

I found the Amputation Foundation through a chance meeting with Andy Reid (one of AF’s founders). AF put me in contact with other amputees and I didn’t feel quite as alone. 
 
Since my accident I’ve done things I never thought I’d do – I’ve competed in able-bodied rowing race crews, competed in CrossFit, returned back to working in a hospital, found the sport of strongman and have won the title of World’s Strongest Disabled Woman twice and set 5 world records.
 
I’ve now set up a gym with my partner designed to help disabled people get stronger and gain their independence back.
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