Paddling News

A HOSPITAL registrar who lost a leg in a motorbike crash is using paddle power to help other accident victims - by kayaking single-handedly 460 miles down the Yukon.
By Mark Branagan

A HOSPITAL registrar who lost a leg in a motorbike crash is using paddle power to help other accident victims - by kayaking single-handedly 460 miles down the Yukon.

Dr Mike Faughey-Scraggs, specialist registrar in trauma and orthopaedic surgery at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, intends raising money for the Orthopaedic Fund, a charity helping trauma patients, by taking part in June's 10th Yukon River Quest - the world's longest annual canoe and kayak race.

Dr Faughey-Scraggs, who has more than 15 years' kayaking experience, will compete against teams from around the world - possibly meeting wild bears and moose on his way through the Canadian wilderness.

The registrar - who hopes to become a consultant by 2011 - lost a leg after a motorcycle crash in 1992.

Hospital officials say this has not stopped him leading an extremely active life.

He has previously cycled solo to the Arctic Circle and Northern Ireland, completed the off-road version of the coast-to-coast cycle route, and regularly plays for Great Britain in international sledge hockey competitions.

He said: "I expect this to be the most gruelling race I have ever undertaken.

"For me it's a personal challenge and to show that life doesn't stop when you become disabled," he added.

"It'll also enable me to raise much-needed funds for the department in which I work."

Article Source: yorkshirepost.co.uk