Wheelchair-using army veteran to complete Hadrian's Wall for charity

If successful, Ret’d Corporal Tom Green will become the first wheelchair user to complete the route in just one day, as the only other recorded attempt stands at 10 days.

He will be using a Bowhead RX bike, a specialist off-road wheelchair, starting from Bowness-on-Solway and following it to Wallsend. 

The challenge takes place on the third anniversary of an accident that left Tom with life-changing injuries.

On August 14, 2020 he was cycling in a fundraising challenge for Combat Stress, a veterans’ charity for which he is raising money for again with this challenge, when he was hit from behind by a lorry travelling at 60mph.

Tom was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery but was left with spinal cord injuries.

Since then, with the support of his colleagues, he has continued to fundraise for Combat Stress, raising £8000 to date.

Tom, who was born in Birmingham and resides in Salisbury, served as a physical trainer with the 1st Fusiliers until he was medically discharged in March 2022, reaching his rank and serving in Canada, Kenya, Brunei, and Germany.

Now a coach and athlete, Tom coaches both able-bodied and adaptive athletes in weightlifting, powerlifting, and CrossFit, and competes at an international level where he is ranked third in the world in the seated category.

He said: “On the anniversary of my accident, it’s so important to me to continue what I started - fundraising for this incredible charity.

“I’ve always relished pushing myself to the limit, and it’s also a chance to prove to others out there that your disability does not define you.

“It’s what’s inside that counts.

“My ethos is that life is 10 per cent what has happened to you and 90 per cent how you react to it.

“This is going to be my toughest challenge yet, but I’m determined to reach the finish line within 24 hours.”

To support Tom’s challenge, visit https://events.combatstress.org.uk/fundraisers/thomasgreen/hadrians-wall-challenge.