Sheffield hospital launches fund for Ekso 'bionic' suit

Doctors in South Yorkshire have launched an appeal to buy a "bionic" suit to help paralysed patients walk.

The Ekso skeleton suit will cost Sheffield's Northern General Hospital spinal injuries unit £100,000.

It would potentially be used by hundreds of patients at the hospital to assist their recovery.

Paralympic gold medallist Matthew Skelhorn walked for the first time in eight years using the suit at a fundraising event.

The Ekso device was originally conceived for the American military to give soldiers superhuman strength.

Nathan Timmis, who works in the Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Unit at the Northern General, said he wanted to raise £2,000 on a 100-mile bike ride.

"The Ekso suits are only recently available in Europe and we want to be the first centre in the country to get one," said Mr Timmis.

"Ideally we would get one in the next six to 12 months but we really don't know - it's the first time we've tried to raise this amount of money."

Richard Nuttman, 35, from Sheffield, lost the use of his legs after a road traffic accident in 2006.

He works at the spinal injuries unit and was one of the first people in Sheffield to try out the suit.

"I am always sceptical before trying anything like this but I was amazed at how easy myself and others got up and started walking. It was easier than using a wheelchair," Mr Nuttman said.

"Both the health and psychological benefits are massive. It will encourage people to do more rehab and exercise."