A WHEELCHAIR-bound paraplegic fundraiser from a village near Selby is nearly half-way through his challenge to wheel 500 miles for charity.

Former RAF Regiment gunner Sean Allerton, 47, who was paralysed in a road accident while serving with the 34 Squadron RAF Regiment in Cyprus in 1993, began his Push 500 challenge in May. He was inspired from the hit song I Would Walk 500 Miles by the Proclaimers.

The Scottish singing twins, Craig and Charlie Reid, were even at the launch of the charity challenge to cheer Sean on.

Over the last four months Sean, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, has been doing laps of the airfield at RAF Church Fenton in his wheelchair. He has been going to the airfield once a week and does several laps at a time. By Monday, he aims to pass the 250-mile mark.

“I just do laps as and when I can,” said Sean, who aims to complete his challenge by January. “One night I got to Church Fenton at 5pm and was still going at 5am the next day – I just kept on going and did 29 miles.

It was pitch black but I just strapped loads of torches to my wheelchair “I’m really pleased to have reached such a milestone but there are plenty more miles still left to do – however this means that there is still plenty of time for people to sponsor me.”

Sean has raised £4,500 so far in his challenge, money which will be split between, the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Forces Association, the RAF Charitable Trust, Flying Scholarships for Disabled People, Aerobility and the Forgotten Heroes – the charities that helped him the most while he was coming to terms with his life-changing situation.

Sean broke his neck and lost the use of his limbs and torso in a motorcycle crash.

With the help from the charities, Sean has regained partial movement and achieved his dream to fly a plane.

He is still hoping to raise thousands of pounds more.

For details on how to sponsor him and to keep updated of his progress, visit Sean’s dedicated website at www.push500.co.uk