Wheelchair man plans UK journey

Stevie Webb: Diving accident

A paralysed Cornwall man is planning to race from John O'Groats to Land's End in an electric wheelchair.

Stevie Webb, 32, of Truro, will set off on 1 August and plans to complete the 887 mile journey in 28 days.

It is thought to be the first time anyone has travelled end-to-end in a wheelchair in one go.

He is aiming to raise £30,000 for Dogs for the Disabled and a project to build Cornwall's first multiple sclerosis therapy centre.

Achieve goal

Mr Webb had always dreamed of completing the London Marathon before he became paralysed from the chest down.

He said: "To do 26 miles in a manual wheelchair or running, I can understand the challenge.

"But breaking my neck made that nearly impossible, and in an electric wheelchair there's no challenge.

"I was looking for a way I could give something back and at the same time achieve a goal I have been thinking about for a long time."

He accepted some people might think travelling in an electric wheelchair was easy, but pointed out he would have to put up with heat and boredom on the road.

Mr Webb is selling wrist-bands with the logo "I powered Stevie's challenge" and inviting people to sponsor each of the miles he will travel.