Leicester Tigers Wheelchair Rugby player David Needham has become the first person to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks in an all-terrain wheelchair.
Needham, who has motor neurone disease, completed his challenge to raise money for LOROS and the Leicestershire & Rutland Motor Neurone Disease Association last week.
He completed the climb in a specially made all-terrain Mountain Trike in less than 24 hours.
The 46-year-old was joined by the hospice’s chief executive John Knight and managing director Tim Morgan, who is also inventor of the Mountain Trike, as they made up part of a six-strong team of friends and volunteers.
David explained: “I still recall the ‘Are you mad?’ look that I got in March when I first suggested attempting the challenge in my Mountain Trike. It wasn’t until the day before when I was driving through the valleys looking up at the peaks that the enormity of the undertaking was brought swiftly into focus.
“To be brutally honest, I was just focused on getting to the top and thinking this isn’t going to beat me. When I was diagnosed, I knew I had a choice, I could either sit down and let this happen or I could fight it. I’m lucky that I’ve always had that fighting spirit in me.
“Without those guys, it would not have been possible and I will be forever grateful to them.”
Knight added: “David is a most impressive individual. To witness his amazing determination to complete it, while pressing against the elements, against fatigue and the increasingly challenging mountain footpaths is something I will never forget.”
David has now raised more than £2,000 for his chosen charities.
After catching up with his team-mates on the Tigers Wheelchair Rugby team, David said: “It was great to get back to training with the lads and getting the pats on the back for completing the challenge. I want to wish the whole squad the best of luck in this weekend's Super Series at the Leicester Arena.”
If you would like to support David’s fundraising you can do so online at www.justgiving.com/ned70 or if you are feeling inspired by David and would like to take on a challenge yourself then visit www.loros.co.uk/challenges.
