A physics teacher who was told he may never walk without impairment says his students’ support is fuelling his journey of recovery.

Two years ago, Gurmeet Singh Sidhu was practically bedridden for four weeks after he woke up one morning and could not move or get out of bed.

He had damaged two of his spinal vertebrates in his upper back which were pressing on his nerves.

The 49-year-old said: “I was quite fit and used to walk places a lot but then one day, I suddenly could not get up. It was so painful, my body had locked.

“I was told I may never be able to walk without impairment and my only options were to have surgery or try and improve with exercise.”

Gurmeet, who has taught at Gravesend Grammar School for the past 15 years, was concerned a spinal operation could come with complications so told his doctors to give him one month to try and improve his condition.

He said: “I started walking every single day with a lot of pain. I was in so much pain, it was very, very difficult but I thought I needed to stay strong and do it.

“I was quite low during those weeks in bed and I knew the only way out was to be strong. I thought this is not all I am or how I want to live.”

Six weeks after his spinal injury, Gurmeet decided to return to work despite being warned it was a risk to push himself too soon but he was determined to continue as normal.

He added: “I needed to do it as my mental health was starting to be affected and through hard work, I defied the odds and surpassed expectations.

“My students were my strength when I was not well. They were my inspiration to keep going and I want my story to help young people talk about these issues.

“I have never stopped or given up and kept on walking. I want people to know if you keep on walking, you will arrive at your destination.

“I have myself undergone physical and mental health issues and beaten them and I want to convey the same message to everyone, that you can do it.”

Now known as Walking Singh, Gurmeet is continuing to walk more than 10km every day despite still suffering from spinal pain.

Gurmeet, who lives in Crayford, has also since won Movember’s Going the Distance award for walking 500km in November for men’s mental health.

He was presented with the accolade earlier this month at a ceremony.