A FITNESS fanatic paralysed in an accident is preparing to cycle the length of the UK coastline.

Keen body-builder and cyclist Robert Groves was injured in an accident nine years ago that resulted in a slipped disc crushing his spinal cord. He suffered severe nerve damage, leaving him paralysed from the waist down and forcing him to come to terms with a whole new way of life.

Now the 60-year-old is preparing ride a hand-powered bike 2,500 miles around the country - starting at Brighton's Palace Pier and finishing with a visit to the Prime Minister.

“Before my accident I was a keen body builder and cyclist at the peak of physical condition. I had my own health club in the Midlands and used to cycle 10 miles every day.

"Since the accident I chose to fight preconceived ideas of what was possible for someone who could feel nothing below their waist.

“The toughest part will be the hills and the terrain as I’m only using my arms to cycle but my training has prepared me and got me into the best shape I could be."

Robert is hoping his efforts will raise awareness of hand cycling as a sport and raise money for a Hand Cycling in Crawley - a club that supports, mentors, and helps provide grants for adaptive sports equipment and competition and training expenses for people with disabilities.

Robert, whop lives in Crawley, added: "I’ve been determined to raise money to help others, especially those who may go through something as I did.”

“My aim is to demonstrate what disabled hand cyclists can do, and by meeting Mr Cameron I hope to raise awareness of hand cycling as a sport in the lead up to this year’s Rio Paralympics. My dream is to open a club for young disabled cyclists and train the next paralympians.”

For more information about Robert's challenge visit www.hand-cycling.co.uk/events.