Fundraisers smash target to help pro cyclist paralysed in stunt

Updated

A professional cyclist injured during a stunt has thanked his fans after a fundraising target to pay for modifying his home was raised in just a few hours.

Martyn Ashton, 41, said he was "speechless" after his original aim to raise £7,000 to pay for rehabilitation equipment was smashed within a day.

The athlete was left paralysed from the waist down during a live stunt display at Silverstone race circuit in 2013.

Mr Ashton was performing on the Animal Bike Tour when he landed on his shoulders and neck from three metres and "hyper-extended, my body snapped in two".

He tried to sell his bike on Facebook in an attempt to raise money to adapt his home - prompting his legion of fans to suggest a crowdsourcing page to raise the funds themselves.

In less than 24 hours, supporters quadrupled the original target.

Mr Ashton, from Port Talbot in Wales, wrote on Facebook: "I've been blown away by the response to my post about selling the Road Bike Party 2 Colnago to aid my 2016 rehab plans.

"Thank you so much for the support and encouragement."

In subsequent posts, with the funds raised, he added simply "speechless" and "thank you".

"Seeing other people dealing with it and it's even worse, it does humble you a little bit."

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