A TODDLER who had to have his fingers, thumbs and feet amputated has amazed his parents with his resilience and determination as he learns to adapt to his new way of life.

Finley Amos was left fighting for his life in June after he contracted septicaemia from the meningitis bacteria.

His parents, Matt Amos and Sarah Bonner initially thought their two-year-old would need to have his fingers, toes and thumbs amputated.

But sadly it was worse than they thought and Finley also had to have his left foot amputated at the ankle, his right foot amputated third of the way up his shin and the little finger bone in his right hand palm removed.

Matt, 39, said: "You wouldn't think he had had anything done to him, apart from not being able to walk on his feet. He goes hell for leather and he doesn't let anything hold him back."

He said they have been getting by the best they can and have been inspired by the way Finley has handled everything.

Matt added: "He acts like he has been doing it all of his life. Put it this way, three days ago the physiotherapist came to meet us. She sat there for five minutes and said, 'I don't need to be here. Just look how good he is.'"

Finley, who has two brothers, had skin grafts but the one on his right hand did not take so he had to return to hospital last week to have a further operation.

Matt said: "Hopefully if this one takes, he won't have to have any operations for a long time."

Finley will be measured up for prosthetics for his legs. But his dad said that prosthetics for his hands are much more complicated and will be looked into when he is older.

Friends started a Crowdfunding page to give the family extra support and they are three-quarters of the way to the target of £10,000. To donate go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/FinlaysFightingFund.

Matt, who lives with his family at The Furlongs estate in Hereford, said: "There has been lots and lots of fundraising. We haven't had to do anything. We can focus on the little man."

Meningitis Research Foundation say the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease are common and live naturally at the back of the nose and throat.

At any one time, one in ten of us carries the bacteria for weeks or months without ever knowing that they are there, and for most of us this is harmless because, fortunately, most of us have natural resistance.

Only a small fraction of people who are exposed to meningococcal bacteria fall ill with the disease.

Septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of meningococcal disease.

On August 19, James Westlake is having his chest waxed at Salon XS in East Street. On August 23 Play Planet is holding a party from 6pm to 9pm, along with the crew from Endless Entertainment. Tickets are £10, to include food, from Play Planet.

On September 16, Mark Jones and nine others, will carry a stretcher with a person on it, up Pen y Fan and down again. To sponsor them for Finley call Mark on 07974 309202 or email mark.jones1955feb@gmail.com.

The team's base is at The Bull Ring Inn in Kingstone. Donations can be given at the pub.