A lorry driver who feared he would never walk properly again after an accident at work is gearing up for the ride of his life.

Nathan Cook is taking on two long bike journeys next year to raise money for Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

The 40-year-old’s brave decision to take on the lung-busting challenge is all the more remarkable considering nearly 10 years ago he was knocked off a lorry trailer by a forklift while working in Leicester, smashing his left knee and arm.

He was told he by doctors he would walk with a stick and at one point they thought he might not be able to go back to being a lorry driver.

However, he worked hard on his rehabilitation and does not use a walking stick. He also discovered a passion for cycling and a happy side-effect was noticing he was losing weight.

At his heaviest Mr Cook, of Glenbrook Drive, Milton Regis, weighed 21 stone. Now at 15 stone, with three more to lose, he is taking part in Dulux Trade London Revolution in May – a 185-mile route around London.

Then, in September, he will attempt to conquer the 969 miles between Land’s End and John O’Groats in nine days as part of the Deloitte Ride Across Britain.

Mr Cook, who is married to Sammi and has a daughter, Bethany, 15, said: “It’s going to be a challenge, especially for the hills. We effectively climb twice the height of Everest in those nine days.

“With the training you need your family behind you. As Sammi said to me, ‘You set yourself these ridiculously stupid targets but you always do them’.

“She’s full of confidence, she’s far more confident than me.”

His training is somewhat hampered by the fact his left leg is an inch shorter than the right as a result of his accident.

Nathan said: “I can’t afford a specially adapted bike but it becomes a case of you just get used to it. It creates a few problems but you just adapt.”

In June 2016 he finished the 54-mile London to Brighton cycle with two friends in aid of the British heart Foundation.

• To support Nathan, visit https://tinyurl.com/nathancyclist