Double world champion Colin Lynch has launched an Indiegogo appeal for a vital piece of equipment as he prepares for the Paralympics at Rio 2016 – a new leg.

Lynch, who was born in Singapore but has represented Ireland since 2010 and lived much of his life in Canada, had his leg amputated below the knee after suffering a foot injury in his teens, complicated by a tumour on his spinal cord.

He has been investing his limited funding in training and bikes, and believes that an upgrade on his current prosthetic leg – which is poorly-fitting and causing him significant pain – will allow him to take his career to the next level.

“I went to the London 2012 Paralympic Games and I missed out on a medal by 1/10th of a second,” he says on his fundraising page.

“By the time the Games started, the equipment I used was already out of date and since then it has continued to decline.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4msGT26Jovw

The 44-year-old, who won the C2 time trial at the 2011 UCI Paracycling Road World Championships and still trains with the Macclesfield Wheelers, is trying to raise £8,000 for a new custom-made limb.

“I would love the help and support of anyone that wants to help me win,” he says.

“You get me the new leg – I will do the rest!”

To donate, visit his page here.