A COACH from Redditch has helped a former Army reservist make history by becoming the first person to complete an international endurance challenge in a wheelchair.

Carl Simmons, who is retired from the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, provided fitness support to Darren Edwards who was paralysed in a climbing accident.

Darren was paralysed from the chest down after falling 40ft down a rock face when the ground gave way beneath him in Snowdonia in 2017.

But the 32-year-old has now completed the World Marathon Challenge, where participants complete seven marathons in seven days, across all seven continents, making history by becoming the first wheelchair athlete ever to finish the challenge.

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Darren was supported through the marathon challenge by his fiancee, TJ, another friend and Carl who taught him how to ski and previously joined Darren and other injured and wounded veterans in a kayaking challenge from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

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Carl aged 48 said: “His mental strength is outstanding. Darren is determined enough and he’s good enough to listen to advice, so he does all the right things.

“He’s able to listen to his own body better than anyone else.

“What he is giving back to the charity is absolutely fantastic because it gives other opportunities to other people to change their lives or try something different, that they wouldn’t normally get.”