Stroke victim Simon James has completed a 1,000-mile cycle ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End after being told he may have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Simon, from Stourbridge, raised over £2,500 for charity with the cycle ride despite having suffered a major stroke two years ago.
The 54-year-old was unable to walk or talk after collapsing from a severe brain haemorrhage in 2009.
He has donated the money from the bike ride to One Voice, a community singing group for adults who have suffered a brain injury. The group helped him through his rehabilitation.
Simon said: “The thing about having a stroke is all your dignity is taken away. There I was, a man in my 40s, unable to communicate, unable to walk. I couldn’t even feed myself.”
He was in hospital for 18 months and was told by doctors that he would probably need a wheelchair and would certainly never ride his bike again, a hobby he had previously loved.
He added: “When doctors told me I’d never ride a bike again I decided I had to prove them wrong.
“As part of my hospital rehabilitation I was given the option of either joining a gardening, woodworking or singing group. I joined the One Voice Community Choir for people with acquired brain injury and we hold fundraising concerts all over the region.”
Simon’s wife Carol, 49, said: “I am so proud of him. He has shown such determination but that’s Simon – he wouldn’t ever give in.”