A soldier who was injured in a life-changing accident is gearing up to take part in a gruelling challenge to help raise funds for charity, the York Press has reported. 

In February 2012, father-of-two Justin Henderson was serving in the Royal Logistics Corps as a postal courier when his back was seriously injured when he tried to lift one of his colleagues, leaving Mr Henderson with a broken back which meant he could not walk more than just a few steps without having to take to his wheelchair. 

However, the 39-year old from Heworth vowed not to let it change his life, and after some hard work he was able to get fit enough to work again falling operations to have his back rebuilt. 

He told York Press: "My last operation in January 2013 re-built my spine and I refused to get back in the wheelchair. "It was always at the side of my bed but I got rid of it. 

"I had a zimmer-frame and went from walking with that, to crutches, to the walking stick I have now."

And now he plans to raise money for the military charity Help for Heroes in order to allow others to have the sort of help he has had over the last few years. He will take part in the gruelling 260-mile Hero Ride, which will take him from Catterick to Windsor on a recumbent bike. 

He said he was inspired to do so after he saw the race last year. 

"I now like to set myself goals and said to myself I wouldn't have a wheelchair or zimmer-frame, and I did that," he said. 

"My back isn't going to get better but I will get the satisfaction of doing this ride."ADNFCR-2867-ID-801777378-ADNFCR

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