Father left paralysed to run in triathlon

Paul Waine, 47, was given a 30 to 50 per cent chance of ever walking again after he was struck down by Guillain Barr syndrome (GBS), a condition which attacks the nervous system, just before Christmas 2008.

Now almost a year to the day he staggered into a Driffield health club on crutches Paul is training to swim 1.5km in open water, bike 40km, and run 10km on August 8 in the London Mazda Triathlon.

He hopes to raise 30,000 to be split between the GBS Support Group and the rehabilitation unit at Castle Hill Hospital where he spent almost three months in recovery.

Mr Waine and his wife of 12 years Sarah were hosting a party at their home in Foston-on-the-Wolds when he first became ill and next morning he was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary amid fears he had suffered a stroke.

He said: "Within a week my life was transformed from being the ambitious boss of an expanding business and a member of various committees, to being totally incapacitated, unable to control any bodily functions and paralysed to the extent where I was completely dependent on the care of the hospital staff."

At Castle Hill Hospital Mr Waine, managing director of Hull-based oil recycling company Regroup UK Ltd, had to relearn everything from using cutlery to eat and stand up. He was eventually deemed well enough to return home on the condition that Sarah took on the role of full-time carer.

Mr Waine has been training with the help of Driffield-based Wolds Way to Health. Director James Iveson said: "He's a clear example of how strong the human spirit can be."

A fundraising event at Driffield Rugby Club is being planned for July 17.

Mr Waine is in the process of setting up a justgiving website where people can make donations. In the meantime anyone can donate directly to the GBSSG by visiting www.GBS.org.