A GRATELEY man will push himself to the limits with a unique fundraising race that will cover nearly 40 miles.

Graham Inchley will be taking on an adapted Isle of Man TT Race while pushing a speciallyadapted wheelchair on July 2.

The father-of-three will be taking on 37.73 miles within eight hours in a bid to raise money for charity, the Joey Dunlop Foundation.

Volunteers from Andover College, where his wife Heather works, will occupy the wheelchair, which Mr Mr Inchley will push during his fundraising bid.

The 53-year-old said said: “Last year I went to the Isle of Man and I had the chance of riding my father’s 1966 motorcycle. [When my father raced in 1966] he finished third, which was a hell of an achievement, and he developed the bike himself.

“And then 50 years on I got to ride the bike in a Lap of Honour. Unfortunately just two miles into the race, the ignition packed up between Quarterbridge and Braddan Bridge and the race came to a halt.

“The marshal came over and said ‘do you want a cup of tea?’ I parked my bike and I went down to the marshal post behind the Joey Dunlop Foundation building. A girlfriend of one of the riders offered my tea or beer, so I kindly accepted a beer. During that time it became clear it had happened for a reason.”

The former Royal Navy aeronautical engineer Petty Officer said he soon offered to take on a fundraising race a year later on behalf of the charity.

The Joey Dunlop Foundation offers disabled holiday-makers specialist apartments while they visit the island.

Demand has grown for the apartments and Mr Inchley hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity to help kit out the extended apartments.

Mr Inchley said he works on his fitness as much as possible by fitting in training during his lunch time and by pushing the wheelchair 10 to 15 miles a couple of times over the weekend.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has covered the cost of travel to and from the island for Graham, his support team and his equipment.

If you would like to donate, click here