GYM owner Zowie Trevena is to hold a massive endurance challenge to help a Strongman friend who was left paralysed after a freak paddling pool accident.

Zowie, who runs Pure Grit in Devizes, is recruiting fitness fans to take part in a 24 hours Challenge 1000 on August 30.

Her friend Simon Cooper, 41, who holds the title of Chippenham's Strongest Man was left paralysed from the neck down after the accident back in May when he slipped on wet grass.

Zowie said: "Fellow Strongman friend of mine had a life changing accident. Because of this accident Simon is now paralysed from the neck down.

"He has recently been moved from Southampton General to a Salisbury re-hab unit, but he has a long road ahead of him.

"Simon has been in the Army since he was young and competed in their Strongman team as well as civilian Strongman events, winning Chippenhaam's Strongest Man in 2019.

"Although injured, typical Si remains extremely positive and upbeat which is a testament to his mental and physical strength."

But now she and others want to help pay for the family home in Chippenham to be adapted so he can return to his wife Leanne and two children Lee and Abbie.

A fundraising page has been set up and has so far raised around £40,000 of its £100,000 target.

But now Zowie wants to boos the cash by holding an event that will push people to their limits.

There will be ten strength activities including deadlifts, sandbag runs, tyre flips and carrying atlas stones to a barrel.

If that is not sufficient the trials will be followed by a marathon length walk of 26.2 miles along the White Horse Trail.

Zoe said: "This event will take approximately 24 hours from the start of the lifts until we are back in Devizes after a 26 mile walk in the dark."

Raffle items are needed and donations to www.gofundme.com/f/simon039s-home-modification-fund?