AMAZING: Team Paddison in John O'Groats

AMAZING: Thirteen days after leaving Land’s End Team Paddison has arrived in John O’Groats.

The team completed the 992-mile pedal with a 50-mile stretch from Bettyhill today – tired and sore but all in one piece.

A local man led the team using an alternative version of pedal power to travel the length of Britain from Lands’ End to John o’Groats (LEJOG).

Andrew Paddison, who lives just outside Welshpool, used a handbike to travel just under 1,000 miles in 13 days, and while admitting he wasn’t the first to try it this way, his difference is that he is a Thalidomider.

“There was a drug developed in the 1950's called Thalidomide to combat the effects of severe morning sickness of pregnancy,” said Andrew.

“It is 60 years since the first thalidomide baby was born in the UK. The drug basically resulted in the babies being born with deformed limbs etc.

“I am not a victim, but a product of Thalidomide and want to show that with two short arms, no right leg and a curved spine this should not deter you from leading an active healthy lifestyle.

“You adapt and I handcycled a handbike which I adapted to include a Torque sensor hub electrical motor. This ebike only assists when needed, i.e. on climbs, strong headwinds, there is no throttle or switch that just engages the motor, you have to put the physical effort in for Torque sensor to engage.”

Andrew was joined on his challenging journey by other cyclists for company, while Team Paddison provided plenty of encouragement and companionship over the 13 days.

“Apart from showing that limitations should not deter you, I undertook this challenge to raise money for three cancer charities - Macmillan Cancer Support / Prostate Cancer UK /Bloodwise,” said Andrew.

There’s still time to support the good causes being helped by the event. If you would like to support Andrew’s challenge, his Just Giving page is http://bit.ly/2FwxsK5