Inspirational couple faced with 'harsh and utterly devastating MND reality' take on half...

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Inspirational couple faced with 'harsh and utterly devastating MND reality' take on half ironman Yorkshire Live

A special 'bike-train' will allow a seriously ill retired University of Huddersfield lecturer to take part in an Half Ironman-style Challenge on Sunday.

David Wilson is now unable to walk more than a few steps and has lost all independent mobility in his arms and hands after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year. Its impact has been rapid and devastating and the blow was all the crueller as he had been successfully treated for blood cancer.

But the keen cyclist and fell runner for over 30 years was keen to get involved when his wife Helen, a retired assistant headteacher from Todmorden, decided to try and raise £3,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, and a Todmorden Based Cycling Charity.

The challenge will take place in and around Todmorden on Sunday and will comprise a one-mile swim at Todmorden Sports Centre, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and finishing with a 14-mile run. However, this will be a Half Ironman with a difference.

Although Helen will complete the swim and run sections as a solo athlete, she will be joined for the bike ride by David. The athletic pair are using what little strength he still has left in his legs to complete the bike ride together on a specially built bike train, which was provided for them by the charity Empowered people.

It involves him sitting in a recumbent, which is connected to, and towed by, Helen's e-assisted bike. Because, in this seated position, David is not weight-bearing, he is able to contribute by pedalling.

Helen says: "When David ...

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