A WOMAN who has suffered two leg amputations has spoken of her dream of being able to walk again.

Wheelchair-bound Vikki Marks, 42, wants to travel to Australia for pioneering surgery – and her family and friends are rallying around to try to help her achieve her goal.

Vikki's supporters are helping her to set up a charity – to be known as Victoria's Dream – to raise £100,000 to fund the surgery.

Mother-of-four Vikki suffers with Buergers Disease which can eventually cut off the blood supply to limbs, leading to amputation.

Unable to wear prosthetic limbs because she says they cause her so much pain, she now spends most of her days in a wheelchair, with her husband Scott Marks as her full-time carer.

The surgery in Australia would involve Vikki receiving titanium metal rod implants to which prosthetic limbs can be fitted.

Vikki found out about the surgery when she read the story of a serviceman who had lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan.

Vikki said: 'I took a look at his new legs and said, "that's my dream and I know my wonderful friends will help me realise it. I want to walk again".'

This week Vikki's house in Liskeard was full with those friends, who met to start making plans for the fundraising.

Realising that there is a lot to go through to set up a registered charity, they are appealing for anyone who has experience of this to come forward to guide them through the initial stages.

'We are so excited at the thought that Vikki could walk again and lead a normal life with her family, so we are raring to go,' said her friend of many years, Donna Hunt.

'We need help to get the charity status as soon as we possibly can as we have so many ideas.

'In reality we know it will take a long time to raise £100,000, so we have set a target of two years.

'Vikki is a popular and lovely lady who inspires everyone around her.'