Team Paddison complete first day

Welshpool’s Andrew Paddison and his back-up team have completed the first leg of the 980-mile journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Andrew is using a handbike to travel just under 1,000 miles in 13 days, and while admitting he won’t be the first to try it this way, his difference is that he is a Thalidomider.

“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,” said Andrew.

Andrew is being joined on his challenging journey by other cyclists for company, while Team Paddison will be providing plenty of encouragement and companionship over the 13 days.

“Apart from showing that limitations should not deter you, I am undertaking this challenge to raise money for three cancer charities - Macmillan Cancer Support / Prostate Cancer UK /Bloodwise,” said Andrew, adding that more than £1,000 has already been raised.

Andrew captured the imagination of the British public on Thursday morning when he appeared on Good Morning Britain and barely gave hosts Ben Shephard and Sussana Reed the chance to get a word in.

If you would like to support Andrew’s challenge, his Just Giving page is http://bit.ly/2FwxsK5