16588/1A CLIMBER who survived a 200ft fall on a Welsh mountain range will run a gruelling 40-mile night-time race to raise money for people suffering from head injuries.

Colin Watts, of Top Lane, Whitley, was lucky to survive the rock plunge in north Wales two years ago, which left him with serious head injuries.

Next month the 40-year-old will compete in the gruelling High Peak Challenge to raise money for head injury charity Headway.

The rock climbing accident left Mr Watts unconscious in hospital for four weeks, with head injuries, a broken wrist and a broken pelvis.

Six years before the accident he injured himself in a 30ft rock climbing fall.

Mr Watts said: "The doctors said because it is my second stay in hospital I was lucky to have survived.

"I'm doing this to help Headway out. I am fantastically lucky and I want to raise money for people who have not been as fortunate.

"If I hadn't had the accident I wouldn't have done it at all because I would have thought it was too hard."

Mr Watts can't remember the events surrounding his fall and now takes a notebook with him in case he forgets information.

He said one of the lasting symptoms of the accident is feeling tired all the time but this has not stopped him deciding to try and raise £2,000 for Headway by competing on March 4.

His team, which includes three friends from the Swindon Mountaineering Club, will set out at 11pm to undertake the navigation adventure.

The route around the Derwent Watershed passes through some of the most desolate terrain in England and tests competitors' endurance levels.

The four men will have to carry enough food and water, as well as a safety tent and sleeping bag for the race, which is likely to take up to 15 hours.

After his accident Mr Watts' driving licence was taken away and he was unable to work full time mapping software at Intergraph in Swindon.

Although still not completely better, Mr Watts now works four days a week and is confident he will make a full recovery.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mr Watts can contact him in the evenings on (01225) 702938.