Boy built real-life Iron Man robotic light-up arm by 'amazing' teacher - for £30

A boy with one arm has given his favourite teacher top marks for creating him an “Iron Man” prosthetic limb that even lights up.

Lewis McCaslin, 12, had been given an NHS limb which he never wore as it can’t move and “weighs a ton”.

So his design and technology teacher, Daniel Grant, used the school’s 3D printing equipment to craft him a “bionic” arm designed to look like Iron Man, one of Lewis’s favourite characters.

Lewis’s mum, Nicki McCaslin, 35, said: “He’s only been wearing it for a few days now but it’s given him a real boost. He loves it.

“It’s life-changing.”

Lewis is thankful to smart Mr Grant (Bradfield School / SWNS.COM)

Mr Grant who teaches at Bradfield School in Sheffield, South Yorks, rang the family before Christmas to say it would be “an honour” to make Lewis a new arm.

Charity Team Unlimbited created the templates for Mr Grant to print out at the school where he constructed the arm which cost just £30 in parts.

When Lewis raises it, the fist closes so he can grip.

Lewis McCaslin's arm made by Daniel Grant, a design technology teacher at Bradfield School in Sheffield (SWNS)

Mr Grant, 32, said: “I wanted to do this because I thought it could be a really positive part of what had been a pretty rubbish year.

“I thought this was an incredible opportunity to use the equipment we have here in school. It feels great to have been able to bless Lewis with this arm.

“It was incredible to see it in action. It was exciting to see him picking things up.

Lewis McCaslin loves to play (Nicki McCaslin / SWNS.COM)

He is looking forward to 'doing things other kids can do' (Nicki McCaslin / SWNS.COM)

“He picked a cup up with a bit of water inside and only spilled a little bit, he also picked up a plastic bottle.

“We were able to print some accessories too.

“I put some little extra LED lights on it, to make it look more like Iron Man with the battery and electronics hidden in the hand.

Lewis is excited to be able to ride his bike (Nicki McCaslin / SWNS.COM)

The lad refuses to let anything stop him (Nicki McCaslin / SWNS.COM)

“He was really excited about the extra armour which velcro onto the arm.

“It has been a wonderful project.”

Lewis, who also lives with his brothers Joshua, Connor and Jamie and dad Byron, was born without his left forearm after complications at birth.

While it took Mr Grant a long time to make the arm, it only cost about £30 in parts.

Nicki said of the teacher: “He’s just absolutely amazing and is so kind-hearted. I can’t thank him enough. It really will change his life.”

Lewis said: “I am so excited to be able to ride my bike in the summer and be like everybody else. My arm is awesome.”