A DALGETY BAY schoolboy has become the first child in the UK – and possibly the youngest in the world – to be fitted with a bionic hand.

The Press previously brought you the story that Josh Cathcart was being bullied for having one arm and how he was so desperate to be “normal”, he wanted to sell his computer and Xbox to get a new arm.

Now the nine-year-old, of Meadowfield, is “over the moon” after being fitted with the £42,000 ‘i-limb quantum’ bionic hand.

Developed by Livingston-based Touch Bionics, the state-of-the-art hand is controlled by Josh’s muscle signals and a mobile app and also has ‘i-mo’ technology, making it the first prosthetic hand that can change grips with a gesture.

He can move his hand in any of four directions to activate the desired grip and he can now do everyday things, from using a knife and fork to catching a ball.

Proud dad James (33) told the Press, “It was his first day at school on Tuesday and his mum told him he’d better get ready for all the people who wanted to see him.

“He said, ‘Nobody will come and see me’, but when he got to school there was a crowd! Everybody wanted to talk to him!

“He can now pull his trousers up, hold his toothbrush and put on the toothpaste – all the things we take for granted.

“On Tuesday night he rode his bike for the first time. He looked so good and natural and much more comfortable.

“He’s excited and coping really well. He doesn’t want to take it off! It’s been a massive confidence boost.

“He didn’t look at anyone when they spoke to him but now he looks at them and is always smiling. We’ve got our wee boy back.

“It means the world to us. He wanted two hands, now he’s got them. He can only get stronger and better.” Donations for Josh’s hand came from all over the world, from people touched by his story, including an FMC worker in Dunfermline who lost his arm in an accident in April.

A Go Fund Me page raised more than £3000 in three days and the family were overwhelmed when James’ uncle in Australia offered to put up the rest of the cost.

Josh is expected to get about five years out of the hand before needing a new one but will outgrow the elbow socket in nine months to a year.

The family continues to fund-raise and wants to help others once Josh’s future is secured.

James said, “We can’t take it off him in five years and say we don’t have the money to get him a new one.

“The response we’ve had has been overwhelming and we want to help someone else once Josh gets enough money because we know what it’s like.” Donations can be made at http://www.gofundme.com/sr9hb9h8