Former mayor completes 500-mile wheelchair trek

Former Truro mayor Steven Webb said he was ready to “rest and warm up” after crossing the finish line of an 805km journey around Cornwall in an electric wheelchair.

Mr Webb raised money for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.

Completing the Cornwall 500 Challenge took 29 days, covering up to 30 miles (48 km) per day.

Mr Webb was paralyzed after a diving accident when he was 18 – and he credits Cornwall Air Ambulance with saving his life after the incident 33 years ago.

Mr Webb said he would not have become “a grandfather, a father or the Mayor of Truro” without the efforts of Cornwall Air Ambulance and those who donate to their cause.

Mr Webb, whose charitable fund has already reached almost £7,000, told the BBC the hardest part of the challenge had been the weather.

“I don’t sweat, I don’t shiver, I can’t control my body temperature, I can’t move my legs or anything, so I can’t generate heat.

“It was really, really difficult.”

Recounting the donation from a young boy who ran after him to give him £1 during the challenge, he added: “It means so much and without people donating their staff the drivers wouldn’t be here, so this It’s the people who donate who make the donation.” all the difference.”

Mr Webb said he had “not quite met the challenge” and would have to return to some sections to reach the 500-mile target because “the weather, a problem with his chair or his squeaky body” caused problems.

“I’m so proud of the whole team… It wasn’t just me, it takes a lot for me to hit the road and I’m doing it with the whole team behind me.

“Now I’m going to go home, rest and warm up.”

Mr Webb was elected Mayor of Truro in 2021.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook And Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

Learn more about this story

Related web links