A FORMER soldier paralysed in a training accident is also taking part in the gruelling 423-mile cycle ride.

Mickey Hall, from Richmond, was left paralysed from the waist down following an accident on an army assault course.

But now the former Welsh Guard is training for a cycle ride that should take him from Edinburgh to London in six days.

Mr Hall is one of four in the party who will be attempting the cycle ride on a hand bike. Once there, they will join thousands of others who have cycled from across the UK and abroad to ride through the capital and raise £1m for Help for Heroes.

The 37-year-old, who served with the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards, said: “I love the enjoyment, excitement and companionship that cycling with a team brings – that feeling of being back in the fold which I really missed when I had to leave the army.”

Having been a member of the army’s archery team, Mr Hall has taken it up again, and has also learnt to swim using just his upper body.

All money raised by the Catterick team’s Hero Ride, sponsored by Tetleys, will be directed to Phoenix House Recovery Centre. It is one of four Help for Heroes Recovery Centres and provides education, training, welfare, sport and adventure activities to residents, day visitors and their families.

Kelly Bostock, support programme manager at Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison, which has supported the cyclists, said: “It’s a long, tough route that would intimidate even the most experienced, able-bodied road cyclist so our team really will appreciate all the support they receive along the way.”

Donations can be made via: http://www.bmycharity.com/catterickrecoverycentreheroride