Nick Hewitt, of Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, launches fund-raiser to help him reach next Paralympics

A professional bodybuilder who injured his back after falling from a cliff nearly 15 years ago is on a mission to compete in the next Paralympics.

Nick Hewitt, of Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, has launched a fund-raiser to help him buy a racing wheelchair.

The 41-year-old, who is currently waiting to be classified for the 2028 Paralympics, is also training to take part at the Invictus Games in 2027 and next year’s London Marathon.

When asked why he wants to compete at the top level, the father of two said: “I want to prove to my kids that just because I’m disabled doesn’t mean I can’t do things.”

“I just want to push and pursue my dreams. I think I’ve got the determination and the mentality to do it.”

In 2010, Mr Hewitt injured his back when he fell 20 feet from a cliff while undertaking a military training exercise.

While initially being able to walk, his condition deteriorated for about a decade, and four years ago, he was given a wheelchair.

“My life wasn’t too bad. I was walking about, I was okay,” he said. “But I knew there was a problem because any slight movement would be ‘oh that didn’t feel right’.

“It could something as simple as just leaning forward or I could drop a pen and my back would ping and I would be out of action for a little while.

“But that while just turned longer and longer every time something happened.

“The lower part of my back would swell to the point where I couldn’t walk anymore.”

Although Mr Hewitt was raising concerns with the doctors, he initially struggled to get the help he needed.

He eventually began to make use of walking sticks and moved to crutches.

“One day really sticks in my head,” said Mr Hewitt. “I tried to take my son to school and we drove halfway thinking I could do the other half by foot, but I only managed to move a few metres on my crutches before I couldn’t move anymore.

“My wife had to reverse the car to where I was standing to get back into the car.”

Mr Hewitt said he was told to consider a wheelchair when the doctors believed his condition would continue deteriorating.

He said the day he got his wheelchair was the day he regained his freedom.

“That whole nine year period before I got my wheelchair was the hardest part of my life,” he said.

“I was really depressed, I wasn’t happy. I tried to do things like I would normally, but things were not going the way they should have been.

“There is a lot more freedom now. I can just go out in my wheelchair whereas before I couldn’t go out without knowing how far I could go before getting stuck.”

After Mr Hewitt was discharged from the military, he continued his love for sport.

He won several bodybuilding competitions and was a personal trainer at one point.

However, his love for the athletics always stuck.

For the last few months, Mr Hewitt has been training with the Orwell Panthers Athletics Club, in Ipswich.

Although he has been able to use the club’s racing wheelchair, to compete professional and train more, including on the road, he needs to buy one specifically designed for him.

To help Mr Hewitt reach his goal, click here to donate.