Racehorse owner Paul Stewart raises money with Iron Spine Challenge
Racehorse owner Paul Stewart, who suffered a spinal cord injury five years ago, completed his gruelling Iron Spine Challenge last week (20 August).
Paul, whose family owns top National Hunt horses, including the record-breaking Big Buck’s, was paralysed from the waist down when he was swept off a 200ft cliff in the French Alps during an avalanche in 2008.
He was told he would never walk again. However, Paul can now walk with the aid of sticks.
During the challenge, which he started on 5 August, he swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles, walked 26.2 miles and climbed the cliff face he fell from, saying he was “determined to beat the mountain”.
Paul has so far raised around £350,000 for Spinal Research and Wings For Life, a spinal cord research foundation.
To donate, visit www.ironspinechallenge.co.uk
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.