DOUBLE-leg amputee Duncan Slater, who lost both legs in Afghanistan, gave an inspiring speech to students at Ely College.

Having served in the RAF for more than a decade, Slater was in Afghanistan in July 2009 when an improvised explosive device blew up under his vehicle. The only unbroken part of his body was his right arm.

After a year of rehabilitation, it became clear that both legs would need to be amputated if he was to walk pain free ever again.

Addressing the students at an annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, Slater said: “When my doctor told me that I would probably never run again, I was determined to prove him wrong. I want to show you that it’s possible to overcome anything, and to achieve anything, if you set your mind to it and are determined enough.”

Slater handed out awards to students for their outstanding effort in all aspects of college life and also spoke to an enthralled audience about his preparation for Walking with the Wounded’s South Pole Allied Challenge 2013.

The South Pole Allied Challenge - which is supported by its Patron, Prince Harry starts in December 2013, when Slater and the other members of Team UK set off to compete against teams from Australia, Canada and the US.

Joking about the prospect of spending 16 days racing 335km across the frozen Antarctica in temperatures as low as -35 degrees centragrade, Slater said: “Well, at least my feet won’t get cold!”

To support Team UK in the Challenge, make a donation at http://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/southpole2013/donate/