In 1999, Nigel Wrapson didn’t think he would ever walk again – let alone run with the Olympic torch.
The then 31-year-old from Hove, lay motionless on a hospital bed in Barbados having just broken his neck in a freak swimming accident.
It was touch and go as to whether he would walk again, but he vowed to his girlfriend – now wife – that if he did make it he would run the London marathon.
Not only did the British Airways worker achieve the amazing feat – he has now completed four of them.
Picking up different charities along the way, the 44-year-old has raised thousands for good causes.
He said: “It’s just what you do. They wouldn’t let me fly back to England to have the operation so I had it there.
“I have so much respect for the doctors and nurses at that hospital and decided I wanted to give something back.”
Among the various good causes he has helped are spinal injury charity Aspire and Motor Neurone Disease charities.
He said: “I am excited but also a little nervous.
“I’ve been having some strange dreams about it – not that I drop it or anything, more that I get handed the torch and then before I know it I’ve finished.
“Let’s hope today can fill in those blanks.”
Mr Wrapson is running with the Olympic torch in Worthing at 4.33pm today (July 16).r Wrapson is running with the O
Nigel
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