An Isle of Wight mum who says she “can’t run at all” has completed her first-ever 5K challenge, raising hundreds of pounds to help children with limb differences receive life-changing prosthetic arms after her son was born with 1 arm.
Sarah Lloyd took part in the Inflatable 5K in Southampton on Saturday, raising £375 of her £500 goal for the Alex Lewis FLOAT Foundation, part of the Project Limitless Appeal.
The charity holds a special place in Sarah’s heart after the initiative provided her son, Jordan, with a Koalaa prosthetic arm free of charge, which is known throughout the household as ‘Puddy’.
The prosthetic transformed Jordan’s confidence and helped him achieve a major milestone last summer when, aged just 6, he rode a bicycle without stabilisers for the first time.
Sarah said that moment inspired her to make 2026 her “year of firsts and challenges”, beginning with a 5K run with her cousin Jo by her side.
Despite admitting running is far outside her comfort zone, Sarah wanted to do something to give back to the charity that changed her son’s life.
She said:
“The project gave my son, who was born with one arm, access to prosthetics at no cost, which meant last summer at the age of 6 he rode a bike without stabilisers for the very first time.
“The prosthetic gave him the confidence, balance and trust in himself to do something that once felt impossible – and honestly, that moment planted the seed for my year of firsts and challenges.”
“Riding a bike was something we never thought he could do! He can even play video games! He’s so amazing.”
Speaking after completing the event, Sarah thanked everyone who supported her fundraiser.
She added:
“I managed to raise £375, which is fantastic, and I am so thankful.”
Project Limitless is a collaboration between the Alex Lewis FLOAT Foundation, the Douglas Bader Foundation and KOALAA, working to ensure children across the UK with limb differences have access to advanced prosthetic arms.
To date, the initiative has raised more than £600,000, enabling over 650 children to benefit from specially designed prosthetics that are lightweight, comfortable and able to grow alongside the child, reducing long-term costs.
The prosthetic devices are delivered directly to families’ homes, removing the need for repeated hospital visits while also providing peer-to-peer support throughout the process.
Sarah says every penny raised through her challenge will help The Alex Lewis FLOAT Foundation (ALFF) and Project Limitless continue its mission of ensuring more children with limb differences can pursue their hobbies, interests and ambitions without limits.
Anyone wishing to donate the Sarahs cause can do so here.
