Man pulls car with his wheelchair for charity

A strength challenge has raised £400 for SSAFA and has shown that being in a wheelchair doesn't stop you from achieving anything. 

Glen Leversedge, a member of the Shrewsbury Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, managed to pull a car from his wheelchair as part of an event being held for the military charity.

As well as a barbecue held in the town with proceeds going towards SSAFA, the event saw Mr Leversedge pull the car behind him from his wheelchair down a side road in the town.

Held at the Origins Restaurant in London Road during the summer, the day as a whole raised £400, which was given to SSAFA at the end of August. The money included profits from the barbecue, which were donated by Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, as the restaurant is located on its campus, along with funds raised from a raffle.

Mr Leversedge's stunt was the icing on the cake and stunned onlookers as he used his own strength to pull the car that was attached to his wheelchair.

The money was presented to Brigadier Andrew Meek, SSAFA Shropshire chairman, at one of the charity's breakfast meetings. 

He told shropshirelive.com: “We were delighted the club decided to donate the funds to the SSAFA and were amazed by Mr Leversedge’s stunt. “The money raised will go towards helping Armed Forces personnel in Shropshire.”

There are 150 Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Clubs around the world, with each intended to allow veterans, serving personnel and their families to get together regularly for breakfast. 

It helps people make connections and ensures all servicemen and women – veterans and those currently serving – can meet up regularly with people who understand their situation.

The Shrewsbury branch of the Breakfast Club was started in March and has now got 150 members. It meets at the Red Lion on Battlefield Road on the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month.

Veterans, service personnel and their families are able to join for free, with the only rules being that rank is left at the door.