AN Albaston man paralysed from the waist down after a cycling accident 13 years ago is about to embark on a 280-mile cycle ride across Vietnam and Cambodia for charity.

Jonathan Pellow will be accompanied by his fiancee Sarah White and the couple aim to raise £3,000 for Regain which supports tetraplegics like Jonathan.

The 42-year-old has been confined to a wheelchair since he went over the handlebars of his bike. It was Regain who bought Jonathan a hand-cycle to keep fit and this will be his third ride raising money for the charity.

In the last four years he has raised £8,000 by riding across Mexico and down the Nile.

Jonathan, who sets off with Sarah from Cornwall today, said he hand-cycled every day and was feeling quite well prepared for his challenge. 'I think the greatest challenge will be the humidity,' he said.

The temperatures will be in the early 30s and the cyclists, 46 in total including six hand-cyclists, are expected to cover up to 50 miles a day.

Jonathan said being in a wheelchair it was important for him to keep fit: 'Hand-cycling is the most enjoyable way of keeping fit, and by raising money for Regain the charity can help others the same way as it has helped me.'

Regain is the only charitable organisation dedicated solely to improving the independence of all British men and women who have become tetraplegic as a result of a sports injury.