http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/soldiers-broke-long-distance-endurance-records/story-26532482-detail/story.html How not one, but TWO former soldiers broke endurance records - on mobility scooters By TristanCork | May 19, 2015
[image http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276309/Article/images/26532482/10102387-large.jpg Andy McIntosh on his John O'Groats to Lands End trundle ] Former soldiers trying to break a long-distance record on board an electric mobility scooter are a bit like buses – you wait ages for one to have the idea, and then two trundle along at once. For not only has a former tank commander just arrived in the West after breaking the world record for the furthest ever travelled on a mobility scooter, but a second, different, disabled ex-soldier was last night hoping to break the record for the fastest time between John O'Groats and Lands End on board a similar carriage. Perhaps the most hardcore ex-soldier mobility scooter endurance feat is currently being undertaken by Mark Newton, a record-breaking former army tank commander. He is trying to visit every single war memorial in Britain, and has already clocked up 12,186 miles in the past 600 days. The 48-year-old from Swansea has now arrived in the West, and is living on the road with his trusty Beamer Tramper TWS electric mobility vehicle and his two cats, going from war memorial to war memorial at a steady 8mph. Last month he was told he'd broken the Guinness World Record, and he will take the rest of the summer just to visit the war memorials in Devon. So far he has raised more than £43,000 for military charities ... Mark's fundraising mission started when he suffered a life-changing injury to his leg while attached to the United Nations, as he served in Cyprus with the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards. "In 2009 my condition had deteriorated to the point where walking was painfully difficult. It was suggested to me that I contact Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) to see if they were able to help. I've not found it too lonely. In some way, I like my own company and like the scenery and wildlife I've been seeing. Every day, I bump into new people - the hard part is remembering everyone's names," he said. But Mark isn't the only old soldier out on the West's roads on a mobility scooter. Andy McIntosh, 42, was last night due to reach Lands End in Cornwall in record time. He passed through Gloucestershire and Somerset earlier this week after 15 days on the road, and is well on course to smash the previous record of 24 days and nine hours. Andy retired from the army fully fit, but developed a rare and inoperable vascular condition seven years ago. He has been battling the wind and rain on the roads of Britain all month on board a TGA Breeze mobility scooter. "There have been a lot of tears since receiving the news that my condition is untreatable, but I am a man that never gives up," he said. "I've been in some very dark places but I won't let this beat me. This world record attempt has been a real challenge for sure, but gives me a focus to remain positive and ensures I can thank the charities that have been so supportive to my family and I," he said. "Despite my walking difficulties and health issues, I am determined to complete this epic journey and raise funds to help fellow disabled servicemen and women. I am so appreciative of TGA loaning me such a sturdy scooter, I know with a Breeze I will have peace of mind when it comes to reliability. During my last challenge the Breeze regularly delivered over 30 miles of range from a single battery charge which is amazing. I have complete faith in my own determination and the reliability of the Breeze," he said. [© westerndailypress.co.uk] For EVLN posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/e-mobility-soldiers-break-endurance-records-on-a-journey-2raise-funds-tp4675746.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
