Rasika Sampath lost both legs when he was hit by a train and his future looked bleak but thanks to Bridge 2 Sri Lanka, he has new hope. Pictured in Candie Gardens, he will be on his way home today. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0806637)

A SRI LANKAN man is mobile again thanks to his determination to succeed and the generosity of islanders.

Rasika Sampath, 24, thought he would never walk again when he lost both legs in a railway accident in 2006.

But with a set of prosthetic limbs, he is on the road to recovery.

Bridge 2 Sri Lanka founder Sarah Griffith met Mr Sampath in October.

‘I was immediately taken with this charismatic young man and he could speak very little English. I asked his sister if he had just one wish what it would be and she said, “new legs, Madam”.’

Ms Griffith began fund-raising to buy Mr Sampath prosthetic limbs but when it was clear that was not possible financially or medically in Sri Lanka, she contacted retired Guernsey surgeon Roger Allsopp, who referred her to the Dorset Orthopaedic Clinic.

On 29 April, Mr Sampath, who could not put into words the difference the legs will make to his life, had his first assessment at the clinic. He has been in Guernsey since, travelling to and from Dorset while his artificial limbs have been made and fitted.

He took his first steps on 3 May.

‘It’s almost miraculous. I don’t think, in 40 years, I have ever seen anybody progress like he has,’ said Mr Allsopp. He put it down to the level of care and Mr Sampath’s will to succeed.