Two former paraplegic spinal cord injured are setting out to complete the Coast to Coast using only arm power to raise funds for the DMRC Benevolent Fund. 

Ian and Tom, patients of the Defence Medical and Rehabilitation Centre and support team are aiming to complete the Coast to Coast cycle ride using only arm power in their handcycles.

The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Benevolent Fund is a volunteer-run charity that provides funding to support holistic, occupational and social integration opportunities for serving military patients at DMRC Stanford Hall, that are not provided by public funding.

The challenge is to complete the C2C ride in 3 days covering total of 125 miles from Whitehaven to Hartlepool. 

Ian and Tom have been training for the event by cycling increasing distances from 15 to 45km. They have ridden over different terrains, including inclines and hills to try and prepare for the challenges they face. 

The DMRC Benevolent fund gave us an insight into the pairs training, saying:

"The training has been difficult for many reasons. Using only arm power means that you don’t travel as fast as other cyclists. As such, training time takes longer."

"Training also has to be well planned so that injuries are avoided which in turn could affect using your wheelchair day to day. Ian picked up an arm injury but is managing it well because of techniques that he learned at DMRC Stanford Hall."

They went onto explain how the pair feel about the soon approaching event:

"The pair are really excited about the event as they love setting themselves goals and keeping fit."

"They see these challenges as massively important for their own mental health and also to give back to others who now find themselves in rehabilitation at DMRC. It is a great opportunity for them to support the DMRC Benevolent Fund who were so instrumental in their recovery."

You can donate here.

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