Man receives new leg after drink at his local pub

Not many people walk into a bar and walk out with a new leg. But that’s what happened to David Huckvale, 42, who needed a £40,000 bionic leg to walk again.

The father-of-two popped down to his local pub on the same day surgeon Alistair Gibson, who specialises in fitting the computer-controlled limb, was there for a pint.

When the two happened to meet Mr Gibson mentioned he had a spare leg and could fit Mr Huckvale for free.



Mr Huckvale had his leg amputated when he was 29 after a benign tumour was removed. Before the chance encounter, he had been limping around in a false leg, which didn’t fit properly and walked with the help of crutches and was sometimes in a wheelchair.

Mr Huckvale had read about the bionic leg available in the US and was saving for one – but had only managed to put away a fraction of the required £40,000. He even bought a lottery ticket every week in the hope he might get a windfall.

Mr Huckvale said: “I have been blessed by a miracle. I can now play in the garden with my two girls. Alistair has given me my life back.” Mr Gibson said he was pleased to have been able to help.