THE Proclaimers will be cheering on a former RAF Regiment gunner left paralysed in motorbike accident as he aims to cover 500 miles in his wheelchair to raise funds for the six charities that helped him in the aftermath of his crash.

Sean Allerton, 47, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, will set off on Monday from RAF Church Fenton – as Scottish siblings Craig and Charlie Reid, who shot to fame with songs such as “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)” – support him from the sideline.

Sean was involved in a motorcycle crash whilst serving at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in 1993. He broke his neck and lost the use of his limbs and torso.

Now, he has set himself the Push 500 Wheelchair Challenge after deciding to give something back to the charities that helped him the most whilst coming to terms with his life-changing situation.

With the help of the charities who he will be raising money for – the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Forces Association, the RAF Charitable Trust, Flying Scholarships for Disabled People, Aerobility and the Forgotten Heroes – Sean has regained partial movement and achieved his dream to fly a plane.