Farmer warned he would never walk again completes 26 miles

But yesterday the 72-year-old, of Burton Pidsea, near Hull, who was injured in a rugby accident, took part in the inaugural Yorkshire Dales Walking Festival.

Mr Cook, who did the 26-mile route, said that following his accident he had vowed he would seize every opportunity, if he was ever fit enough, to get mobile again.

“My reason for doing this is because of what Jane stands for – her sheer doggedness and determination in the face of suffering.

“I have got no worries about the young ones on the walk, I have got what they haven’t got – endurance.

“I’m always looking for challenges myself.

“I broke my neck in a rugby accident 25 years ago and they told me I would never walk again. I thought if I ever get right I will not stop.”

Has also climbed Kilimanjaro, Everest base camp, and trekked in Ecuador.

Also taking part in yesterday’s event was Adam Douglas, 44, from Leeds, who was left with massive spinal injuries, while serving in Iraq in 2003.

He was crouching behind a wall with bullets flying over head in a fierce battle when he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

He has spent the years since gradually improving his mobility despite constant pain and little bowel and bladder control.

Recently he became one of the first people in the country to be fitted with a £20,000 bionic implant to his spine, which has helped reduce the pain and has restored his dignity.

Mr Douglas, who was called up as a reservist in an infantry regiment, has set up a charity, The Forgotten Heroes, which is dedicated to assisting injured servicemen and women together with their families and carers. “It is dedicated to supporting the carers, like my wife,” he said.

Yesterday, in his wheelchair, he took part in the 4.5 mile event to raise money for his charity.