Andrews is a trans-tibial amputee who refuses to let his prosthetic leg be a deterrent to anything that he wants to accomplish in his life. He proved this when he summited Mount Kilimanjaro in September of this year, accomplishing the first of several challenges that he has set for himself. “By making it to the top of Kilimanjaro, I proved to myself and hopefully to other amputees that we can do anything we set our minds to,” Andrews explains.

The climb was also the impetus for realising his lifelong dream of starting an NPO to assist and empower amputees. The aptly named Stand with Stan is an NPO which has been created to allow proper access to prosthetics for amputees that are less-privileged and who have poor or no prosthetics at all. Along with the supply of the prosthetics, each amputee will also be registered into the mentoring programme that will enable them to reach their full potential as many amputees underestimate their own capabilities after an amputation.

The programme will also help them develop a more positive attitude towards their prosthetic. On many occasions, once a person becomes an amputee, they then believe that they are no longer capable of maintaining the life they had before the amputation. With the correct prosthetics and the right attitude, they will realize that very few things actually have to change.

And with a team of nominated prosthetists across South Africa, Stand with Stan will be able to help less fortunate amputees irrespective of their location.

“I am so excited to have reached the point where I am in a position to start an organisation that can help others to deal with the loss of a limb and making the transition to the use of prosthetics,” he explains. “What we need now, is for the public and corporate sponsors to join us on this journey.”

In order to raise awareness on Stand With Stan’s activities and to keep pushing his own personal boundaries, Andrews will be taking part in the 94.7 Cycle Challenge on Sunday, 18 November this year – he will be joined by a team of six supporters who will all be cycling in the green Stand With Stan jerseys on the day. “We want people across South Africa to sit up and take notice, then we want them to get up and stand with Stan.”

To find out more about Stand With Stan or to make a donation, please contact Stan Andrews via email at [email protected] or visit www.standwithstan.co.za.