A charity chief executive took on a gruelling 12 hour non-stop bike ride to raise money for people who have suffered spinal injuries.

Brian Carlin CEO of Aspire, national charity based in Stanmore, took part in the spinathon yesterday raising money for the organisation raising £3,000, breaking his original target of £2,000.

The charity provides help to people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury.

He said: “I do a lot of endurance challenges and so I wanted to something that even other athletes would not put themselves through.

“I’ve been with Aspire for 16 years and I really love the charity. Every eight hours someone suffers a spinal cord injury and out services are in high demand.”

Joining Mr Carlin during his challenge was wheelchair marathon racer Justin Levene who regularly uses the centre.

He said: “I think Brian is crazy for doing this challenge but I wanted to show my support.

“This centre is the only one I know of in the entire country which is 100 per cent accessible for wheelchairs and I am able to use everything here.”

The charity’s headquarters in Wood Lane, Stanmore, has a wheelchair accessible pool, sports hall and gym to help provide physical rehabilitation for users from across the country.

Aspire also owns 38 wheelchair accessible homes around the UK which are rented to those affected by a spinal cord injury while they find suitable accommodation in the long term.

Those wanting to donate to the charity following Mr Carlin’s gruelling effort can do so by clicking here.