AN ANDOVER man has rolled his way into the record books after completing a unique marathon challenge.

Graham Inchley, from Grateley, set a new Guinness World Record after pushing an occupied wheelchair for a gruelling 100 miles.

The engineering manager guided the wheelchair around 44 laps of the track at Thruxton Motorsport Centre, smashing his target of 63 miles after clocking up an official distance of 100.48 miles.

The record-breaking feat was conducted to raise vital funds and awareness for people with chronic fatigue syndrome, otherwise known as ME, which has had a serious impact on his daughter Isla’s life.

Graham, 50, said: “I grew up watching shows like Record Breakers and that used to really inspire me, as well as people like John Noakes from Blue Peter.

“I also wanted to raise awareness about ME.

“It’s about showing people how a condition like ME can affect people.

“I’m over the moon, not just for myself but for all my family and friends who put up with all my moaning and supported me.”

Father-of-three Graham originally attempted to break the record last September, after coming up with the idea while building a specially-designed wheelchair for Isla.

Doctors recommended that being outside in the light would help her, so Graham set about building a wheelchair that would allow him to wheel his daughter about for long periods of time.

Weeks later, he lined up at the starting line of Thruxton ready to push, but his modified wheelchair and a lack of video footage meant that Graham’s first world record attempt was unsuccessful.

Not to be beaten, he was back at the race track 15 months later, armed with several video cameras and a crowd of friends and family to cheer him into the record books.

“I started at six in the evening and was attempting to cover 4.6 miles an hour,” Graham added.

“By 7.45am the following morning I had reached the required 63 miles.

“At this point I worked out I could do just over 100 miles so I found a bit of divine inspiration from somewhere, felt really fired up to do it and I did.”

After completing the challenge, Graham sent his dossier of evidence off to Guinness World Records for ratification.

And after a nervous threeweek wait, he finally received the letter confirming that he had set a new world record.

His efforts have already raised £1,200, but he is aiming to gather more sponsorship.

Visit justgiving.com/wheelchairworldrecord- association ofyoungwithME.