John Sandford-Hart on the hand-cycle he covered 76.6 miles on for the tsunami fund. 27/1/5SUFFERING terrible leg injuries in a power boating accident didn't stop determined John Sandford-Hart from doing his bit for the tsunami fund - not once, but three times.

Just weeks after coming out of hospital, following an eighth agonising operation to rebuild his leg, the 38-year-old used a hand-cycle to cover a distance equivalent to three London marathons.

The challenge took place last Monday, at LA Fitness, in Salisbury, and raised more than £500 for the earthquake victims.

"It was easier than I thought," said Mr Sandford-Hart, who covered 78.6 miles in seven hours and 45 minutes.

"I only intended to go round once because I thought it would take me between four and five hours. But I did the first 26 miles in two hours and 10 minutes, so I decided to go round twice more."

Friends charted Mr Sandford Hart's progress on a map of the marathon course, although he is already familiar with the route, after completing the gruelling race on crutches two years ago.

That feat took him seven hours and 58 minutes and he hopes it will earn him a place in the record books.

Over Christmas, the keen sportsman was recovering from the latest in a series of operations on his shattered leg, and he says he was delighted to be back raising money for good causes.

He said: "I wanted to do the marathon again this year, but my surgeon has ruled it out.

"I came up with the idea of doing it on skis on a metal track.

"But that's not going to happen this year, so I decided to do it here in Salisbury on a hand-bike instead.

"The whole event was organised in just a few days but the support I had from people was really encouraging. My neck was a little stiff afterwards but my arms feel fine.

"It's been very difficult in the last two-and-a-half years since the accident but it goes to prove that, with the right attitude, everyone can do something to help other people."

If anyone wishes to add to Mr Sandford-Hart's fundraising total, donations are still being collected at LA Fitness.

Left: John Sandford-Hart, who hand-biked the equivalent of three London marathons to raise money for the tsunami appeal. DA7211