A WHEELCHAIR athlete is training for the ride of his life as he is set to break a World Record by completing 900 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats in just 28 days.

Later this year, 32-year-old Anthony Gotts will be the first person in history to attempt the gruelling journey from Cornwall to Scotland in a manual wheelchair.

Previously completed in 30 days by disabled campaigner Martyn Sibley using an electric wheelchair, Anthony is aiming to knock two days off his title and become the first Guinness World Record holder for completing the challenge using arm power alone.

In order to finish the journey in record time he will need to push around 33 miles per day without any rest day for four weeks, which equates to over one marathon a day.

Anthony said: “I believe everyone on the planet can do extraordinary things if they work hard and if it means enough to them they can do something amazing.

“I turn 33 in July and I feel now is the time do my amazing thing as well as raising money for charity.”

To achieve his goal in August, Anthony is sticking to an intense training regime which involves 11 training sessions a week, many of which take place at Seedhill Athletics track in Nelson.

Anthony was an able-bodied athlete until he tore muscles and broke his pelvis in a freak long jumping accident.

He had been looking to make the trials for the London Olympics, but gradually lost the use of both legs.

Despite his injuries, he has competed in the World Marathon Championships in London in what was only his second marathon.

He has also competed in several races across Europe with more determination than ever before.

In addition to taking on the challenge, Anthony is raising money for the Weir Archer Academy which is a charity that helps disabled people to take part in sport.

Anthony is also preparing for the London Marathon in April but describes that as ‘a total walk in the park' compared to his self set challenge.

He said: “My target in August is to knock two days off that record using arm power alone.

“To break the electric wheelchair record I will need to push around 33 miles per day without a rest day for four weeks.

“To put that into perspective I have only completed two marathons in my life and even if you include my pre-marathon warm up that would only be around 27 to 28 miles on marathon day, and then I have four or five days off after the race.”

From administration volunteers to support cyclists, vehicle sponsors, engineers and cycle shops, sports massage therapists and physiotherapists, Anthony is looking for people to assist in his journey.

Anthony can be contacted on ant400mh@hotmail.co.uk.