An Essex estate agent left for dead by a hit and run driver is pushing himself to mental and physical limits by taking on his “biggest challenge yet” – an 150-mile bike ride.
Shaun Whiter, who was forced to have both legs amputated when Haverhill driver Jan Adamec careered into him and his friend Joey Abbs in July last year, set off on the Tour of Suffolk from Portman Road stadium in Ipswich this morning.
Adamec, jailed for dangerous driving in September, careered into Shaun and pinned him against the back of his car as he and Joey were trying to fix a puncture at the side of the road in Newmarket.
The force of the crash was so great it trapped Joey between his own car and Shaun’s.
But Adamec, formerly of Shetland Road, Haverhill, drove off without stopping leaving the pair for dead.
Despite enduring a year of challenges, Shaun, an estate agent in Stansted Mountfitchet, said the Tour of Suffolk was his biggest yet.
He was taking part in the feat on a hand bike.
Speaking ahead of the race, which will see participants cycle from Portman Road to Potter’s Resort in Hopton today, Shaun said: “It’s amazing to be here.
“This is a fantastic chance for me to give back to Ipswich Town (football club), who have supported me through everything that has happened over the last year.
“I’m also doing this to thank and raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance who helped to save my life after the crash.
“Although it’s been an extremely challenging year this is probably my biggest challenge yet it’s 150 miles but I hope it goes alright, I’ve got everyone here to support me.
“I can’t wait to get going and the atmosphere here is great.”
Former Town players Russell Osman, Titus Bramble, Mick Stockwell and Alan Lee are also taking part in the tour.
Participants started the route at Portman Road yesterday morning before riding up to Potter’s Resort where they will stay overnight.
They will return to the club via Southwold and Woodbridge at 4pm tomorrow.
The race was launched by Simon Milton, the football club’s director of academy sales, who is unable to take part this year because he ruptured his Achilles.
National charity Prostate Cancer UK and the Friends of Ipswich Town are also set to benefit from the tour.
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