Bid to do half-marathons in different wheelchairs

Les Hampton said it is "going to be challenging" training in two different wheelchairs for different races

A man is taking on the challenge of completing two half marathons in two different wheelchairs to raise money for charity.

Les Hampton, from Gloucester, is in training for the London Big Half, on Sunday, but has to use a slightly modified day wheelchair for the race.

For the Cheltenham Half Marathon, two weeks later, he is allowed to use his faster race wheelchair.

Mr Hampton, said: "It's basically designed to go in a straight line you have to force it to go round corners. So I have to train for both types of wheelchair. It's going to be challenging."

Mr Hampton is raising money for Sue Ryder, a charity that provides end-of-life care.

In London, on 7 September, he will be taking on the Big Half in his slower day wheelchair.

"It's just a normal day wheelchair, so I'll just make a few adjustments," he said.

"I'm going to put a little wheel on the front to lift the front up, just to make it a bit easier."

In Cheltenham on the 21 September, he will be putting his bigger wheeled race wheelchair through its paces.

"It's a totally different beast. It's designed for full out for racing," he said.

"I'm not a top racer I just do it for a bit of fun - so I say - but it's not always the case."

'Watch where I'm going'

He said his race wheelchair is "quite fast" and he has to be on the alert when he goes around corners when people are around.

"I got orange wheelchairs on purpose - to be seen," he said.

"Normally when you start [a marathon] there are loads of people around so it's quite complicated because people tend to run in groups, or talk to each other or even stop and take selfies.

"I have to watch where I'm going."

In July, he took on the "crazy" challenge of completing a marathon in his wheelchair on a set of rollers to raise awareness for men's mental health.

This time, he is hoping to raise £500 for Sue Ryder through his JustGiving page.

"I know people are struggling with money and I hate asking anyone for any donations I'm terrible for that but I know life is difficult at the moment," he said.

"But it's for a really good cause. With Sue Ryder's support, no one has to face dying or grief alone. They are there when it matters."