A disabled dad has beaten the odds by completing 1,000 miles in just 10 weeks.
On January 10, Charles Deans, 46, from Wigton, set himself the challenge of covering the 874-mile distance between Britain’s most northern and southern points, in just ten weeks.
Having battled rain, snow, sleet and hail, Charles hit his 874-mile target two weeks ahead of schedule earlier this month. On one day, he covered more than 53 miles – the equivalent of two full marathons.
Determined to keep the momentum going, Charles continued to push on with his challenge.
“I’m proud of myself, 100 miles a week but I got there,” said Charles.
“The more I did the miles, the fitter I got. I completed it (the original 874-mile challenge) in eight weeks but the money was still coming in so I decided to push myself and continue showing people what I am trying to do.
“All of the time in my head was that I wanted to get as close to my target as I could. I set the ambitious target of raising £50,000. I wanted to do everything I could to help two charities and to keep the momentum going to raise some extra funds”.
So far the challenge has raised more than £12,000 for Eden Valley Hospice and the Calvert Trust, two causes close to Charles’ heart.
“It all started last year because of my sister’s passing in November,” said Charles, explaining why he wanted to support Eden Valley Hospice (EVH).
“She was taken to EVH and her care was phenomenal. The compassion they showed was amazing, not just for my sister but for the whole family.
“We couldn’t repay that kindness and support. I had conversations with my sister days before she passed away and she said how she wished she could have done something for them (to say thank you).”
The Calvert Trust is also important to Charles and his family.
“I went to the Lakes with my family and I managed to scale a Wainwrights,” he said. “I spoke to them and them and found out the Calvert Trust was struggling so I felt I had to do something.”
A former builder and landscape gardener, Charles’ life changed after a ‘routine operation’ had a devastating outcome.
He was left paralysed and in constant pain and by 2007, unable even to stand, he was confined to a wheelchair.
Picture: Jenny Woolgar Photography
Charlie also has no feelings in his legs after two spinal operations were unsuccessful.
“I wanted to get my life back,” said Charles.
“I am trying to make the most of it. I can’t change the past, but I can change the future. If I can help to change some other people’s lives along the way too I will.”
It has been a truly inspirational journey for Charles and his family.
“Two years ago I couldn’t get out of my own bed,” continued Charles.
“I can’t quite believe I’ve done it. If you asked me at Christmas if I could have done this, I would have laughed.”
The reaction to Charles’ endeavours has been beyond his wildest dreams.
“People keep saying thank you. I have had to stop saying ‘what for?’. I don’t feel like I’m a hero, I just felt as though I needed to do something. I wanted to get out there and push myself.”
