A GRATELEY man has completed a near 40 mile trek pushing a wheelchair in less than eight hours.

Graham Inchley earlier this month took on an adapted Isle of Man TT Race while pushing a specially-adapted wheelchair.

He decided upon the challenge as a unique of raising money for Isle of Man-based charity, the Joey Dunlop Foundation.

The father-of-three managed the 37.73 mile course with ten minutes to spare of his eight hour target. The 53-year-old said: “It went really well, I completed it in seven hours and 50 minutes, and that’s not bad for pushing a wheelchair over a mountain.

“Part of the course goes over a 2,000ft elevation. I shan’t be doing it again in a hurry!

“It was fair with sunny intervals and then over the mountain there was a strong headwind. I wasn’t expecting that, I didn’t allow for that.

“I got lots of support from bikers and strangers in the street. The local support was amazing. Kelley Gillan, she took to the chair, she did the whole thing, which was admirable.

“It was quite dangerous at times because of people driving past at times, especially over the mountain.”

Last year, Mr Inchley rode a Lap of Honour on the island on the motorcycle his father who rode the 1966 Isle of Man TT race.

However, the motorcycle broke down so Mr Inchley parked the bike behind a marshal post at the Joey Dunlop Foundation building.

This is where he found out about the charity, which offers disabled holiday-makers specialist apartments while they visit the island.

Demand has grown for the apartments and Mr Inchley hoped to raise money to help kit out the extended apartments. So, the former Royal Navy aeronautical engineer petty officer soon offered to take on the fundraising effort.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company covered the cost of travel to and from the island for Mr Inchley, his support team and his equipment.

Mr Inchley has raised around half of his £2,000 goal and is still taking donations.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/graham-inchley-joey-dunlop-foundation-wheelchair-push