A paralysed 999 call handler from Bexley has walked a lap of Millwall's football pitch in honour of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Sean Ash, 39, completed a full lap around the Den after his January fundraiser, which saw him walk a mile around Welling for the first time since becoming paralysed, picked up traction and has so far raised £60,000.

In an emotional Tweet, he said last night: "I walked for you today and now I want to call on everyone up and down the country to go out and walk for Captain Tom in his memory.

"You walked for us when we needed you, now it's time for you to rest. RIP my hero."

 

 

Sean, from Wickham Road in south east London, was told he would never walk again after being hit with a rare spinal condition in August 2020 which left him paralysed below the waste.

The London Ambulance Service call handler said he was left struggling with suicidal thoughts, but after months of rehab, he managed to walk a few metres with the aid of his zimmer frame.

News Shopper:

As we reported last month, Sean, determined to start 2021 positively, support his 'exhausted' LAS colleagues and inspired by Sir Captain Tom Moore, set himself the challenge of walking a mile around his local area.

And the inspirational 39-year-old completed it whilst wearing his London Ambulance Service uniform, dawing local and national acclaim.

So far, the Xtra Mile fundraiser has raised over £63,200, causing Sean to adjust the target from £1,000 to £100,000.

News Shopper:

Following the news coverage, Millwall Football Club invited Sean to join them at the Den and take on another walking challenge for the LAS NHS Trust charity.

He completed a lap of Millwall's pitch on Tuesday, February 2, and later dedicated the effort in the memory of Sir Captain Tom Moore.

News Shopper:

Sean cited watching Captain Tom 'lit the nation' as a major inspiration for his own efforts, and the 100-year-old last week gave his approval, calling Sean an "inspirational young man."

Speaking to the News Shopper, Sean said: "I just thought one day lets do some good, show that spirit that Captain Tom showed and really go for it."

Working at the London Ambulance Service has opened my eyes to the stress and difficulties that our NHS staff endure for us.

"I want to help to give something back and I hope you can all rally behind me as I attempt to pull off the impossible."

As well as support from Captain Tom and hundreds of others, Sean has received a commendation award from the Mayor of Bexley.

London Ambulance Service themselves also thanked him for his remarkable efforts, stating "you're an inspiration."

You can read more about Sean's story and the fundraiser here.