A WOMAN who was inspired to help others after she lost her leg to cancer is living pain-free thanks to a new prosthetic limb.

Sarah Hughes, 35, from Whitchuch, lost her leg above the knee almost four years ago after battling sarcoma, a rare cancer of the connective tissues.

Despite having to give up her career as the deputy manager of a children’s nursery, Sarah adapted to her new life with a basic mechanical knee, and learned to drive again after just five months from receiving her first prosthesis.

But the prosthesis was heavy, caused pain and left her feeling vulnerable, so much so she walked with a stick for extra safety.

This year, a new world of possibility was opened to her when the NHS limb centre in Shrewsbury offered her the chance to trial the C-Leg 4, an MPK (microprocessor knee) prosthetic — and the difference was almost instant.

She said: “I used to hip-hitch, and would regularly take painkillers before the C-Leg. Now I’m pain free and I’m far more confident when out and about. I used the escalator for the first time recently! It’s still hard work, but life has been made a lot easier and a lot happier with the C-Leg.”

Since her amputation, Sarah — who has an eight-year-old daughter, Taylor, with her partner Andrew — has pursued new opportunities, including a return to education, undertaking a child psychology course and a learning difficulties course, and a career change, moving into charity work by first volunteering at the Severn Hospice shop before becoming the deputy manager of the Headway Brain Injury Association charity shop in Whitchurch.

Now, with her C-Leg, she has the confidence to go on an escalator, and is embarking on even more adventures, going on family holidays, canal boat day trips, concerts, go-karting and even skiing.

Sarah is also using her experience to help others going through similar life-changing trauma.

She said: “I have a hospital buddy who I met after my own amputation, a young mum who has a baby son. We’re now good friends — I see her, and I message her and I tell her that it will get better. I want to help people see what life can be like. And for anyone who is active, the C-Leg is the way forward. It gives you so much independence, and I’d recommend it to everyone.”