A newly opened gym at Brightwells Yard in Farnham is already the home of record-breaking athletic achievements thanks to one of its members.

Fitness enthusiast John Devaney has overcome immense challenges in life to set multiple records at Jetts Gym.

The 55-year-old from Farnham had his right leg amputated below the knee after developing a rare form of cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and then suffering a severe injury during a kickboxing accident.

While some would have given up on their fitness, John has overcome his hardships to push himself to new limits.

“I have had a bit of a rough go of it but who am I going to get mad at? I had cancer, I can shout at the world and it doesn’t care, so I might as well get on,” said John.

“What happened to me I had no control over but what I do from now I have control over. I can sit indoors and not go out, but I would guarantee I would be on my own.”

In 2006, John discovered a small lump in his leg had grown to the size of a rugby ball. He sought treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital, where he immediately began chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

He recovered but then in 2011, while teaching a kickboxing lesson, John’s femur unexpectedly snapped. Because of the damage caused by the break and the cancer, John’s lower leg had to be amputated.

John joined Jetts Gym soon after its opening and has used his membership as a way to both challenge himself and to connect with others.

For his world record attempts, his Paralympic designation is PR3 (AK), meaning John’s workouts require him to use only his arms, core, and leg above his knee. So, he trains without a prosthetic, without support, and, perhaps most challenging of all, without stopping.

One of his standout achievements is setting the record for the longest continuous row, lasting 1 hour and 44 minutes. More recently, he broke another record on the Concept2 SkiErg alpine skiing machine, completing 1,000 meters in just 4 minutes and 41 seconds

Jetts Gym is now displaying a ‘Wall of Records’, with John’s achievements being the first to grace it. The gym hopes it will inspire many others to challenge themselves and break records their own records there.

When he's not training hard, John works on developing websites for businesses and enjoys sea fishing with his family.

Despite his bout of cancer, John says he doesn’t feel sorry for himself.

He said: “If you ever feel like you are having a bad day, have a wander through the children’s ward at the Royal Marsden Hospital. You will learn what a bad day is.

“When you speak to parents with children who are not going to make it to six months you realise life isn’t that bad.”

John said the staff, atmosphere and accessibility at Jetts means he really enjoys coming to the new gym.

He also said while the gym may not be for everyone, it is important people challenge themselves and take care of their health.