An anonymous stranger’s $5,000 donation, and an outpouring of support from others, has put amputee Ryan Gibbons within touching distance of affording a new foot and paying off a loan on his prosthetic leg.

Remarkably it has all happened in the space of one week.

Local bartender Mr Gibbons embarked on a fundraising challenge but had no clue how long it would take him to reach his goal.

Since April 23 he has seen support pour in from people here and overseas.

An online fundraising effort called ‘BK prosthetic fund’ has so far raised $4,345 in donations. Mr Gibbons said another generous donation from a stranger has got him very close to his goal of $10,500.

“I recently received a private donation for $5,000. It had been dropped off in an envelope at the bar (Barracuda Grill) and I didn’t even get to see who had dropped it off,” he said.

“It just had a Post-it note inside wishing me ‘good luck’.

“I’m enamoured by the fact that people have been able to get in contact with me to give. It’s heartwarming because it’s something I needed to do to get my foot sorted, but it’s been part of my plan since 2010 to help other amputees on the Island in need of prosthetics.”

Mr Gibbons said his prosthetic leg cost around $19,000, of which only $4,000 was covered by his insurance. Through diligent payment he was able to get the amount down to $8,300, however after the foot attachment had broken Mr Gibbons felt like there was “no end in sight” in terms of paying for his mobility.

Due to his active lifestyle, he estimates he will have to replace his prosthetics every three to five years or so, which is a huge burden financially.

He said there were days when he would be “limping like crazy”, but still had to go to work in order to pay off these loans.

Support from the community has proved to be a really big help and Mr Gibbons is looking to take part in a series of fitness challenges, including this weekend’s Middle to End. If that goes well it will determine whether he will take part in the Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby on May 26, on his own or as part of a relay team.

“I already did the Lindo’s to Lindo’s as a challenge to myself. It was totally non competitive for me, but my girlfriend was going to do it as a walk so I decided to push myself,” he said.

“I also did the Validus Re Running of the Bulls 5K and came in with a time of 25:38 — and that was with this broken foot.”

After a cycle accident in 2008, Mr Gibbons’ right leg had been broken in nine places between the knee and the ankle.

His leg was operated on and put in a cast, but once a wire came loose in his ankle it caused the onset of a MRSA bone infection.

“From there my ankle bone got worse and they said I would never walk without a cane or crutches. I was told I wouldn’t be able to dance or walk up hills and would have to take pain killers for the rest of my life,” he said.

Mr Gibbons, however, was presented with a ray of hope after watching South African double amputee runner Oscar Pistorius participate in an able-bodied track event.

After that he started looking into amputation and consulted with Robert Emmerson, from A Step Ahead Prosthetics in Massachusetts.

You can read more about Ryan’s inspirational journey in tomorrow’s Lifestyle section.

To support Mr Gibbons’ fundraising campaign, visit www.gofundme.com/save-ryan or www.rcgbda.com.