Farmer paralysed in freak accident raises £10,000 for staff who saved him

Rhys Lewis used a specially adapted bike to cycle 50 miles with friends Credit: RJAH

A farmer who found himself paralysed from the waist down after a freak accident has raised over £10,000 in a cycle challenge.

Rhys Lewis, 25, from Machynlleth, completed a 50 mile cycle challenge to raise money to say thank you to the people who helped him recover during his three-month hospital stay.

Rhys was chopping down trees when one split and landed on his back in April 2014.

His sister Sian, and her friends Charlene Dale and Anwen Morris, came up with the idea of a fundraising cycle ride. Rhys joined them, along with members of the hospital staff and around 70 people from his hometown, for the special hand-powered cycle, which was completed in 3 hours 34 minutes.

Afterwards Rhys returned to the hospital where he received treatment.

Rhys split the £10,000 raised between three charities Credit: RJAH

Spinal injuries ward manager Becky Warren said the ride was an "amazing, inspirational day".

The money Rhys has raised is being split between the Wales Air Ambulance service, the Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries, and Apêl Rhys, an appeal that was set up to help Rhys.