A man who fought depression with sport after losing the use of his legs has completed a staggering 900 MILE world record marathon attempt from Lands’ End to John o’Groats in a wheelchair.
Anthony Gotts is the first person to ever attempt the gruelling journey from Cornwall to Scotland in a manual wheelchair using arm-power alone.
It is expected that his Guinness World Record will be in the bag in the next few weeks once officials check over his GPS and video evidence.
The 32-year-old from Rossendale has already raised nearly £2,000 for The 53 Foundation - which helps disabled people get active - as part of the mammoth record attempt, which took two years to plan.
Following months of gruelling training, Anthony’s original target was to complete the trek in 28 days, covering 33 miles a day.
But incredibly, he finished eight days ahead of schedule, covering between 40 and 60 miles a day.
Using nothing but arm-power, Anthony beat the 30-day record set by disabled campaigner Martyn Sibley, who completed the same route in an electric wheelchair.
Anthony was an able-bodied athlete until he tore muscles and broke his pelvis in a freak long jumping accident.
He had hoped to make the trials for the London Olympics, but gradually lost the use of both legs.
In a bid to fight depression after the accident, he started racing in a wheelchair.
Anthony has competed in the World Marathon Championships in London and in races across Europe with ‘more determination than ever before’.
He said: “Everyone can do extraordinary things if they work hard. If it means enough to them, they can do something amazing.
“The last section of the route was tough. It was supposed to be flat - it definitely wasn’t.
“I’ve always wanted to do some sort of big challenge, since I was a kid.
“After my accident, I suffered from quite severe depression and mental illness. Sport got me through.
“It gave me confidence and got me active and out of the house. I also wanted to do something to help other people affected by disability.
“I was much stronger than I thought and was able to cover a lot more ground each day than I expected.
“I was going to do it in August, but I heard someone else was going for it, so I brought it forward.
“I just pushed myself as hard as I could.”
To add to Anthony’s fundraising total, visit HERE
