A MAN from Chafford Hundred, left disabled after being hit by a car 40 years ago, is gearing up to sail the Atlantic Ocean.

Adrian Singleton, 49, was left with hemiplegia – effective paralysis to the left side of his body – when he was hit in 1973, aged just nine.

Now, having battled through many of the limitations imposed on him following the accident, Mr Singleton has been offered a place to train for the 2015/2016 Clipper yacht round-the-world race, where he intends to sail the final USA to Europe leg.

He hopes to raise £10,000 for HemiHelp, a UK charity for the one in 1,000 children and young people suffering from hemiplegia in Britain.

Mr Singleton’s underlining aim, though, is to inspire youngsters who have hemiplegia.

His mission has received ringing endorsement from Adam Hills, the Australian TV comedian who presented Channel 4’s The Last Leg during the Paralympics last year.

After Mr Singleton got in touch with Adam, the comedian said: “When I heard what Adrian is doing, I thought ‘this guy is crazy!’.

"Nothing I have learned since has changed that opinion, but I would add to it that he is brave, inspired, fearless, and still crazy.

"Please support this unique person in any way you can.”

Mr Singleton said: “I was thrilled when Adam’s producer, Joe Norris, sent me Adam’s quote.

“Hemiplegia is a form of cerebral palsy and in my case it rendered my left foot and hand quite useless to me.

“Months of physiotherapy did help to loosen the paralysis a little. I recovered my speech and some use in my hand but after three operations on my foot it was once considered that I would not be able to walk any distance unaided.

“I have now lived with hemiparesis, and originally hemiplegia, for 80 per cent of my life. It has been something I have had to learn how to beat and work around it to live life as normally as I can.

“I am embarking on a personal challenge to take part in one of the world’s greatest adventures and to participate in a section of the circumnavigation of the world by sea.”

Mr Singleton intends to visit schools in the borough to tell them about his challenge and about overcoming adversity and vulnerability.

You can follow and support Adrian’s cause at www.justgiving.com/Adrian-Singleton-Ultimate-Sailing-Challenge