A Mansfield man who fought back from a one-in-a-million disease that left him having to learn to walk again is preparing for a 190-mile charity challenge as well as a fundraising day.

James Hart, who featured in the News Journal last year, is raising money for the Transverse Myelitis Society, which helped him after he suffered the rare condition.

His problems began when he contracted pneumonia and pluerisy, which led to transverse myelitis — an inflammation in the spinal cord that affects messages from the brain to the rest of the body — after he thought he had recovered.
Overnight that led to nerve damage and partial paralysis.

James added: “At the time I was told I had a 30% chance of walking again without walking aids or needing a wheelchair.”
He learned to walk thanks to 18 months of physio at Newark Hospital, which strengthened his muscles.

Now James now plays off a seven handicap at Coxmoor Golf Club, Sutton, and is planning a the 190-mile walk in April in aid of the charity.

He still suffers from nerve damage and leg pain, but aims to walk 16 miles a day from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire in the Easter holidays.

“The charity does a great job helping people with the condition and it tries hard to create awareness,” he said.

“Hopefully this walk and my story will bring more awareness and help people who have a rare disease.”

James is also holding a charity night at the golf club on 16th March in aid of the Transverse Myelitis Society.

It will include a quiz and auction, with more than 60 lots including signed footballs from Chelsea and Manchester United as well as other autographed items and vouchers for days out.

Anyone wanting to support James can make a donation at gofundme.com/aeh36-transverse-myelitis-awareness