TWO disabled men looking to drive their way into the record books are preparing to tear around the Isle of Man TT course -- on scooters!
It is the second visit to the island by Geoff West and Tony Palmer, who last year took on the challenge of setting a world record for travelling the 1,880 from Land's End to John O'Groats and back on a disability scooter.
During that epic journey Tony suffered a heart attack in Fort William on the return leg. He was in hospital for four days but still managed to get the train down to the finish line to greet Geoff.
Geoff, 54, of Hempshaw Avenue, Loveclough, Rossendale, suffers from arthritis and diabetes. Tony, a 63-year-old former lorry driver, of Moorland Road, Burnley, was forced to stop work as a chef because of a severe epilepsy condition. He has also just undergone an operation to remove a disc at the top of the back.
Geoff said: "I am willing to try anything and I have been up Mount Snowdon in a scooter.
"We went from Land's End to John O'Groats and last time around we thought we would go one better."
So far they have raised more than £2,000 from that challenge with money still coming in.
They will receive a further £50 from the new Wilkinsons shop in Curzon Street.
As a result of their first trip to the Isle of Man, Geoff and Tony handed over a cheque for £1,000 to a support dogs charity after completing a fun run on the Isle of Man TT course.
The members of the Broadening Our Horizons Charity completed the course in a disabled person's car and a scooter.
The intention this time is to raise money for the Oh No's singers from the Gannow Centre in Burnley who want to travel to a special music festival in Cape Town, South Africa, next August.
Tony said: "I will be going to the Isle of Man but wont be able to take part this time. The operation has side-lined me." His place will be taken by Peter Bulchino of Cornwall who accompanied the pair on the Land's End event.
The Isle of Man trip is being sponsored by Althams Travel and Vantage Vauxhall garage. As well as the TT challenge Geoff and Peter will also be going on a disabled scooter trip right round the island with Tony cheering them on.
They will be given an official start by Sir Norman Wisdom OBE who will also accompany them part of the way.
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