A TETRAPLEGIC man from Rogiet who is to be pushed and pulled up Snowdon for a spinal charity has started training with a team of helpers.

Andrew Watson, 45, will be take part in the event in July in a specially customised wheelchair.

Mr Watson became a tetraplegic two-and-ahalf years ago, after a fall in his house.

Subsequent medical complications made it impossible to operate on his broken neck.

The aim of the “Watson Express” climb is to raise awareness and money for spinal charity Backup.

It has recruited 10 volunteers to take and push and pull Mr Watson’s wheelchair up the mountain.

Last year, Mr Watson took part in a multiactivity course run by Backup in Cumbria, where with assistance he was able to go sailing, canoeing and climb mountains. The experience led to him signing up for the Snowdon Push in July 2013.

Mr Watson’s wife Ilona said: “We had our first practise on Saturday, and we had a really good day, the weather was fantastic.

We set off about 11.15am and were back by 1.30pm. It was a round trip of 8k, but Snowdon is 15k and a lot steeper.

“My next job is to find a van-hire company as we need to transfer the chair and all the camping equipment up to Snowdon.

“We are also camping out for two nights - another new experience since Andy’s injury which has been made possible through backup.

“We will have another two or more training sessions in May and June.”

A BackUp spokesman said: “The message we would like to get across is that having a spinal cord injury does not mean the end of your freedom.

As Backup has shown Andy he is capable to do most things, and is already planning on a skiing trip next year.

Mr Watson added: “This gives me the opportunity to highlight that having severe disabilities does not stop disabled people seeing through their ambitions.”

To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com/team/thewatsonexpress or visit The Watson Express Team Facebook page.