All the way across America for Tom in epic challenge
A former Army captain who was paralysed in a game of rugby has completed the Race Across America challenge.
Tom Hughes served in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, leading a troop of 30 soldiers in a Brigade Reconnaissance Force.
In a twist of fate, it was after returning from military service that the 33-year-old was injured and paralysed while playing a game of rugby for Maidstone seconds on Saturday, October 29, 2011.
An MRI scan revealed Mr Hughes had popped two vertebral discs in his neck, which had crushed his spinal cord.
The former Maidstone Grammar pupil spent almost four months in recovery but remains paralysed from the chest down.
Mr Hughes has never let him- self be defeated and has now chosen to become part of Team Endeavour, a fundraising team made up of ex-soldiers.
The team’s latest fundraising challenge is the Race Across America, a 3,100-mile bike ride from the west coast of America to the east.
It began in Oceanside, California, on Saturday, June 18, and Endeavour arrived in Annapolis, Maryland, a week later on Sunday, June 26.
The eight-man team crossed 12 states, three mountain ranges, and four large rivers to reach their destination.
To make it more difficult, Mr Hughes, who grew up in Allington but now lives in London, completed the challenge using a handbike.
Me said: “We were on the go for 24 hours a day as a relay, so I’m feeling pretty tired after the last week, to be honest.
“We’ve raised a decent amount of money and it’s just been an incredible experience.”
Team Endeavour is raising money for three charities helping children and families of the Armed Forces: – Veterans in Action, the Lewis Moody Foundation and Charlie’s Beach Hut.
The team has so far raised more than £1,700.