A PROUD dad praised his disabled son’s efforts in undergoing an exhausting 18-mile quad bike trek to raise money for charity.

Despite having severe physical disabilities, Dave Hughes drove the specially-adapted quad from his home in Bredwardine to Dorstone, via Hay-on-Wye, raising almost £1,400 for Help for Heroes.

His support workers, who followed Mr Hughes en route, said his determination proved “anything is possible” after he took on the county's back roads.

His father, John, said: “Dave finished the challenge in a very good time and he thoroughly enjoyed doing it. He had a smile on his face all the way.”

Mr Hughes stopped at Hay-on-Wye and the Castlefields Pub to fill his buckets up with more cash, and was well-supported by passers-by.

Also with him on the challenge were family members and his support workers from Leominster charity Services for Independent Living (SIL).

A spokesman from SIL said: “Our ethos is to empower people to live as independently as possible and choose what they want to do with their lives and, as Dave has proved, with determination and the right support, almost anything is possible.”

For more information about SIL, call 01568 616653 or email contactus@s4il.co.uk .