County Durham-born Paralympian Lyndon Longhorne is aiming to become the first quad amputee to complete an iron man challenge inside 24 hours.
At the age of eight and a half months, Lyndon was given four hours to live. That was in 1996 when he fell ill, struck by meningitis.
Born in Crook, he defied that prognosis and has continued to battle against the odds ever since.
Inspired by Michael Phelps’ achievements in the Beijing Olympics, in 2008, Lyndon strived to become a Paralympian. He missed the London 2012 team by 10 seconds, but proudly carried the Olympic torch through Bishop Auckland. Four years later, he missed the Rio team by five seconds.
He stepped away from sport for a more normal job, and was impacted by mental health issues. However, the birth of his daughter and her own love for the pool inspired him to go again. Training in rivers, lakes and the North Sea when the Covid pandemic closed pools and gyms, he made the team for the Tokyo Games in 2021, where he competed in seven different categories.
Having retired from professional competition in 2024, he is now aiming to become the first quad amputee ever to complete an iron man challenge (2.4 mile swim, 26.2 mile run and 112 mile bike ride) within 24 hours.
Supported by Liverpool John Moores University, this will take place in Liverpool in September 2025, to raise money for Meningitis Now and Andy’s Man Club.
A full house at The Forum Music Centre in Darlington not only saw Lyndon interviewed by former Editor of The Northern Echo Peter Barron, but also the launch of a single, Adrenaline, inspired by and released in support of Lyndon’s challenge, by country singer Hayley McKay.
Lyndon said: “It’s important that each individual knows that if you are going through those hard times, you don’t have to struggle alone. There is help.”
Peter said: “Of all the people I’ve written about in four decades, I don’t think I’ve come across anyone who’s inspired me more than this young man. When people say to me ‘who’s your hero?’ I say ‘Lyndon Longhorne’.”
You can find out more about how to support Lyndon’s fundraising efforts on his website.