A YOUNG Wirral man, who was forced to have his leg amputated after he was hit by a car has been awarded a scholarship to learn to fly.

Mark Colquitt, from Irby was hit while walking home from work experience aged 16, and has since been learning to walk with a prosthetic leg.

Immediately after the incident, he was taken to Arrowe park hospital where he was unconscious for five weeks, eventually waking on Christmas Day.

Now 35, the former Caldy Grange Pupil has been given the opportunity by a charity set up in memory of the World War Two fighter ace, Sir Douglas Bader, who continued to fly despite losing both his legs.

Mark said: “It is a fantastic chance to do something amazing. To be able to fly and not always battle to stand up on my own two feet and walk again.

“I had so much support and help from the nurses and doctors when I had my leg amputated. I want to show them what I can do and make them proud of me.”

Mark, who now lives in Dronfield in Derbyshire, said his decision to apply to the charity Flying Scholarships for Disabled People, was prompted by a friend at his wheelchair tennis club.

He had to go through a selection process and said he was excited when told the news he had been chosen.

The charity based at Fairford in Gloucestershire, has trained more than 400 people since it was set up in 1983.

It aims to give men and women with disabilities the chance to realise their full potential through the mental and physical challenge of learning to fly.

Keith Bayliss Chairman of FSDP said: “Learning to fly changes people’s lives. Because of their disability, our scholars are often told what they can’t do.

“Well our aim is to change that perception and give them the confidence to show themselves and the world what they can do.

“Disability is no barrier to learning to fly. Once they are in the air the scholars talk about having a new found freedom – something they don’t have on the ground.”

The trainees are sent on three or four week long intensive courses in the in the UK. The cost of the course, which includes both flying lessons and ground school, accommodation and subsistence is free of charge to the scholars.

Mark was presented with his scholarship certificate by FSDP Patron HRH Prince Faisal of Jordan and Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, Chief of the Air Staff at a ceremony at the Royal International Tattoo – the world’s biggest airshow held on July 10.