A RETIRED Paralympian has been promised the support of a North East hospital’s medical experts as he embarks on a gruelling training programme for his latest challenge.
Quadruple amputee, Lyndon Longhorne, visited Darlington, to discuss the support that has been pledged by Woodlands Hospital ahead of him tackling an Ironman Triathlon next year.
The partnership follows Woodlands Hospital being a sponsor at the recent County Durham Together Awards, where the 29-year-old Paralympic swimmer, from Crook, was presented with a Special Recognition award.
The award marked Lyndon’s retirement from competitive swimming earlier this year, having achieved his dream of competing for Team GB at The Paralympics in Tokyo.
The Paralympics was the highlight of an incredible career which followed Lyndon suffering from meningitis as a baby, leading to the amputation of his right leg above the knee, his left leg below the knee, his right hand, and fingertips on his left hand.
Lyndon announced his retirement this summer and promptly revealed his plan to tackle an Ironman Triathlon, with the backing of Liverpool John Moores University.
Scheduled for next August or September, the challenge comprises a 2.4-mile swim in open water, a 112-mile hand-bike ride, and a wheelchair marathon over 26.2 miles – all within 24 hours.
He set a £10,000 target to buy the specialist equipment he will need for the challenge, including a special wheelchair and hand-bike, and the money was donated by well-wishers in an emotional climax to the County Durham Together Awards at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield.
Pledges were made by Dr Praveen Kalia, a consultant anaesthetist at Woodlands Hospital – part of Circle Health Group – Securicorp, Ineos Inovyn, and The Angel Trust.
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Now, Woodlands Hospital has followed up by meeting Lyndon to outline what support they plan to make available, including physiotherapy, diagnositics, and access to specialist consultants throughout his training and the challenge itself.
The hospital’s Executive Director, Debbie Dobbs, said: “We were all inspired by Lyndon’s incredible story, and he will have the support of our medical team throughout his training and the event itself.”
Lyndon said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received since the County Durham Together Awards, and this partnership with Woodlands Hospital is fantastic. It takes the weight off my mind to know I have a team of medical experts behind me, and I can focus on my training.”
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