A SOLDIER injured in a life changing accident is set to tackle a gruelling challenge.

In February 2012, father-of-two Justin Henderson was serving in the Royal Logistics Corps as a postal courier when his back collapsed as he attempted to lift his colleague.

The devastating injury left him with a broken back and unable to walk more than a few steps without having to retreat to his wheelchair.

However, the resilient 39-year-old, of Pottery Lane, Heworth, vowed to live without the chair, and following an operation in January 2013 to re-build his spine, he was able to work again.

Mr Henderson now plans to tackle the Hero Ride in June - a mammoth 260 mile ride from Catterick to Windsor on a recumbent bike.

The former Joseph Rowntree School pupil now walks with a stick and supports other injured veterans at the Help for Heroes Recovery Centre, Phoenix House in Catterick.

He told The Press: "My last operation in January 2013 re-built my spine and I refused to get back in the wheelchair.

"It was always at the side of my bed but I got rid of it.

"I had a zimmer-frame and went from walking with that, to crutches, to the walking stick I have now."

Mr Henderson had a prosthetic vertebrae placed in his spine, effectively ending his career in the military, however, he now helps others.

And it was their determination that he witnessed as he watched last year's Hero Ride taking place, that spurred him on to sign up for 2015's event.

He added: "I now like to set myself goals and said to myself I wouldn't have a wheelchair or zimmer-frame, and I did that.

"My back isn't going to get better but I will get the satisfaction of doing this ride.

"I will get the satisfaction of completion and prove that, although I have a disability, it hasn't stopped me."

To support Mr Henderson and Help for Heroes, visit www.justgiving.com/justin-henderson