An army veteran, who lost his leg in the forces, cycled 100 miles in five hours and seven minutes to raise money for the UK’s leading employment charity for disabled veterans, The Poppy Factory.

Wayne Harrod, from Isleham, enlisted in the military when he was 16 and led a successful 25-year career until he was seriously injured in a tank accident and had to undergo a below-knee amputation.

Now he has shown what can be achieved with determination by successfully completing the fund raising challenge among 25,000 other amateur riders.

A spokesman for the Poppy factory said: “We are so proud of Wayne and grateful to him for riding 100 miles for The Poppy Factory.

“The money he has raised will go towards helping us find meaningful work for other veterans with disabilities all over the UK.

“The transition into civilian life really knocked Wayne’s confidence. After leaving the Forces in 2011, Wayne was struggling to find employment before a friend recommended The Poppy Factory who helped him into a job he loves at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.”

Whilst training for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 Wayne said: “Four years ago I wouldn’t be able to do this, I wouldn’t have the understanding on how to go on in life or to be pushed in the right direction. So I’m doing this because I can, it’s the right time and I want to help others.

“If there is a disabled veteran out there who is unaware of what their next step is going to be, then to do the ride, knowing the help and the good it’s going to give other veterans in a dark place, why wouldn’t I do it for The Poppy Factory?”

• The Poppy Factory has one exclusive place for Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 next year. Visit their link here.