A CWMBRAN man will be taking part in a challenge to cover 100 miles on a hand bike.

The challenge is known as the CARTEN100 bike ride, but unlike the majority of the other 1700 participants, Andrew Wilkinson, chose to complete the feat on May 9 on a hand bike after being paralysed 12 years ago in a road traffic accident.

He said: “I have always been an outdoors person, into mountain biking and motorbikes, and five years ago I took up riding a hand bike.

“It takes a lot more power and is harder than a push bike but I really enjoy it.”

Mr Wilkinson, age 32, aims to complete the challenge within eight hours along with his friend’s Luke Jones, 32, also of Cwmbran, and Cory Haynes, 24.

Mr Jones will share some of the miles on the hand bike, while Mr Haynes will be on a standard road bike.

To prepare, Mr Wilkinson has been completing a 30 mile route from his home in Coed Eva to Garn Lakes in Blaenavon and back, which takes around two and a half hours.

“I have never done anything as big as this challenge, and how fast I go will depend on the gradients along the route,” he added.

The challenge will see participants travel from Cardiff to Tenby.

The bike ride sees them leave Cardiff City Stadium in the early hours of May 9, with the aim of getting to Tenby Square within 10 hours.

The trio are aiming to raise over £1000 for Velindre as Mr Wilkinson’s family has felt the full effect of cancer, with his grandfather, grandmother and auntie all being previous or current patients at cancer hospices.

His own health took a huge blow when on Boxing Day 2014 he was also diagnosed with septicaemia that left him weak and unable to look after himself let alone train for the challenge ahead.

Having battled back from this illness, Mr Wilkinson is now raring to go, adding he is s “nervous yet excited” for the challenge.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/andrew-wilkinson29/