A VETERAN with multiple sclerosis has been inspired by Captain Tom Moore to wheel a mammoth distance in his kitchen to raise money for six charities that are special to him.

Major Andrew Johnston, aged 61, spent 20 years in the army, serving in the Coldstream Guards before being discharged for medical reasons.

He has been dependent on a wheelchair since 1995 and contracted pneumonia in 2018, causing significant weight loss.

But he is wheeling 30 miles, or 5,280 lengths of his kitchen, to give back to the charities that help people in similar situations.

Andrew, of Shaftesbury, said: “It was inspired by Captain Tom Moore and his tremendous challenge.

“I am in the middle of my three-month lockdown because I am a vulnerable person.

“My wife had two new hips so we had carers in the house. My brother-in-law was also here for end of life care before passing away on March 21.

“We had carers, nurses and doctors coming into the house and it took a while for the household to settle down.

“I thought during the lockdown we need to try and do something to help other people.”

The charities Andrew is raising money for are NHS Charities Together, Combat Stress, Wessex MS Therapy Centre, La Folia, Motcombe Memorial Hall and Racing Welfare.

Andrew started on April 21, the Queen’s birthday, and aims to finish on June 13, the Queen’s official birthday.

Andrew added: “Every morning when I come down, I wheel 1,000 yards to breakfast.

“It is like a donkey with a carrot dangling in front of him. I know that breakfast is at the end of the tunnel.

“How quick I do depends on how I’m feeling. The slowest I have done is 50 minutes and two days later I managed to do it in 33 minutes.

“Some days it can be a real trial. You have to grit your teeth and get through it.”

Andrew posts daily updates of his challenge on Facebook and compares his distance to where he would be if he were doing the London marathon.

At the time of writing, he had just passed the Tower of London and raised around £17,000 in the process.

He added: “I would love to get to £20,000 which is a doable target.

“If people were kind enough to make donations then terrific.”

To donate to Andrew’s challenge, visit his Just Giving page.

  • This story is part of the Journal's new publication, the Vale Journal, which covers Shaftesbury, Gillingham, and the wider Blackmore Vale. Got a story for us? Email editor@valejournal.co.uk or find us on Facebook.