AN APPEAL has been launched in a bid to help a teenage rowing enthusiast realise his dream of representing his country at the Olympics.

Leon Meal Moss, who has a prosthetic leg, excels at the sport but cannot progress because the limb is not waterproof or to the standard needed to row at competitive level.

The 13-year-old attends Bournemouth Collegiate School in Southbourne where all pupils and staff plan to take part in a sponsored walk to raise money to support him.

Leon's left anatomy and leg hadn't formed properly when he was born and his lower left leg was amputated when he was eight-months-old.

Since then he has undergone around 50 operations on his leg and spine and he has recently had a serious operation to remove part of the stump from his leg.

BCS spokesman Simon Coulter told the Daily Echo: "Leon has had major surgeries on his spine and now has metal in the lumbar region of his spine,

which understandably often causes him pain but he always manages to muddle through. Leon remains a happy, motivated and enthusiastic person.

"Since being at BCS, Leon has grown from strength to strength and was overwhelmed when he was invited to join the rowing academy. Leon loves sport, he eats, breathes it, and in rowing, he has finally found a sport that not only is he good at but he also does not suffer a disadvantage because of his disabilities. When he rows, he says he feels free and that he is able to achieve in sport."

Mr Coulter said a specialist leg could cost around £9,000 and will need to be upgraded and replaced as he grows.

Now the school has joined forces with The Dorset Children’s Foundation in order to raise funds.

The sponsored walk will take place on Friday September 22 from Sandbanks to Southbourne and will involve all prep school and senior pupils and staff.

It will end with a barbecue and auction.

The event is pirate-themed because Leon named himsefl Pirate Pete as a child.

Organisers are looking for someone to take the role of auctioneer as well as sponsorships and donations. Anyone who feels they could help should contact simon.coulter@bcschool.co.uk