One worker has spent the last three months pedalling away in a bid to help others suffering from spinal injuries.

Joe Gilbert has worked at the Aspire Leisure Centre in Stanmore for more than 20 years, after suffering from a spinal cord injury himself 43 years ago.

Now this week, he has completed a 1,000 mile handcycling challenge to raise money for the spinal injury charity in just three months.

Setting himself the original challenge in May of completing the 1,000 miles in six months, this week he finished his last mile by cycling into the Aspire Leisure Centre, based off Wood Lane, Stanmore at midday.

Rather than having a well-deserved rest during the upcoming cold winter months, he has now decided to extend his challenge and to handcycle another 1,000 miles by the end of the year.

He said: “I started this challenge because I want to help Aspire to support spinal cord injured people.

“I was paralysed by a spinal cord injury 43 years ago but back then, there wasn’t the support there is today.

“Having worked at Aspire for more than 20 years, I have seen first-hand the great work the charity does, especially for newly injured patients.”

So far, Joe has raised more than £300 for Aspire, a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.

To sponsor Joe please go to https://www.justgiving.com/joe-gilbert/ or for more information about the Aspire Leisure Centre: www.aspireleisurecentre.org.uk