Ilfracombe ‘miracle' man's one-legged fundraising walk to mark five-year ‘ampuversary’

An Ilfracombe man who was minutes from death after walking into A&E with a sore leg has completed another fundraising challenge to raise money for the hospital that saved his life.

Richard Barnes spent many months fighting for his life at North Devon District Hospital after being admitted in June 2018.

He survived ‘flesh eating disease’ necrotising fasciitis, leukaemia, sepsis, a brain seizure, left leg amputation at the hip and a stroke thanks to the quick-thinking, care and treatment of hospital staff.

On Saturday, to mark five years since having his leg amputated, the 53-year-old celebrated his ‘ampuversary’ with a sponsored walk along the coast path from Ilfracombe to Lee.

“I owe the hospital my life several times over,” said Richard, who spent seven weeks in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), and a further three months in hospital before undergoing chemotherapy, after his leg began to swell on a Sunday afternoon.

“Staff quickly realised the situation was serious, and some even rushed to the hospital on their day off.

“By some amazing miracle I survived and am able to walk on my crutches and climb the largest sand dunes I can find on Woolacombe beach,” added Richard, whose recovery has astonished professionals.

The dad-of-two has since taken on a number of fundraising challenges for North Devon hospital charity Over and Above, including a six-mile walk along the Tarka Trail from Bideford to the Puffing Billy in Torrington, and a cycle from the Puffing Billy to Fremington Quay and back.

“The staff at North Devon District Hospital saved my life and I will never be able to thank them enough for the incredible treatment and care I had,” he said.

“I will always be in their debt which is why I have volunteered to be a fundraiser and in some small way give back.”
Hospital charity Over and Above raises money to help North Devon’s hospitals go the extra mile, providing facilities over and above what’s possible with NHS funding.

Over and Above community fundraiser Josh Allan said: “Richard is an absolute inspiration and a brilliant ambassador of Over and Above.

“We’re incredibly proud of his fundraising efforts and very grateful to everyone for their kind donations.”
To sponsor Richard online, visit https://overandabove.enthuse.com/pf/richard-barnes-torrswalk.