The Isle of Man TT is a world-famous 37.5 mile motorcycle race around the island, first held back in 1907. Even on a super bike, that's a hell of a way to go. Each of the 4-6 laps (depending on the type of race) takes around 20 minutes to complete. It demands serious physical dedication.
Corporal Stuart Robinson, 33, was serving with 15 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment in Afghanistan in February 2013 when his vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while on patrol protecting Camp Bastion.
He suffered life threatening injuries. He lost both legs - one above and one below the knee - 18 fractures of the spine, a fractured pelvis, a fractured left arm, three fractures of the jaw and broken shoulder blades.
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Cpl Stuart Robinson in hospital
"I have no recollection of the incident whatsoever. I remember being in Afghanistan in February and then in hospital in April, nothing in between. Immediately I looked down and saw my left leg had gone. My right leg was in a bad way. I got all the information from doctors but I thought as long as I am still alive and well, I will be alright," Stuart told us.
He spent months at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham before being discharged. He was then cared for by the military rehab unit at Headley Court, Surrey, until only this month. He now plays development wheelchair rugby for Great Britain and is a motivational speaker.
The vehicle after the IED exploded
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Kurt McGuinness, 28, had served with Stuart in Afghanistan for six years, completing three tours before leaving the military for work in the oil and gas industry. His brother is Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness, who is a 23-time TT winner and the fastest ever man to lap the course. Given their similar stories, the lads got together and thought, why not hand-cycle the entire 37.5 mile Isle of Man TT course for charity?
Team Legless was born.
"I'm massively grateful to the team. They've been a lifesaver. After a while it gets boring training on your own so it's good to have people around me from similar walks of life to train with and keep each other motivated," Stuart said.
"Kurt is big into his TT and he has been asking me to come for a while. Then he suggested doing it the way we are doing it and I thought it would be a bit different, so we're going for it."
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The course includes mountainous sections, with an ascent of 2123ft at one point, but it will all be worth it if they can raise enough money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF Association, the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association and F13K Cancer.
The team is going to be filled out by Stuart and Kurt, who has volunteered to do the course on a hand-bike, as well as Anton Shepherd, 25, and Darren Norman, 33.
Kurt McGuinness
Anton is a keen amateur motocross rider but was involved in a serious accident in May 2014, breaking his back in four places and damaging his spinal cord, leaving him paralysed from the chest down. He was told his motocross days were over. But within five months, he was back on a specially made motocross bike he could control with his arms. He later accepted the Team Legless TT challenge as he knew it would be "a lot of fun".
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Darren is a serving member of HM Armed Forces and has been a friend of Stuart's since they were both at Lancaster and Morecambe College in the late 90s.
Stuart with Darren
The team will be supported by the Isle of Man police who will be riding conventional bikes along the course during the event on Saturday 26th March 2016.
The training has been brutal, with 16-30 mile sessions at weekends and shorter cycles during the week at the gym. But that hasn't bothered Stuart at all. There are more important things in life.
"You can't allow anything to define who you are. It was a life changing situation for me and I just had to get on with it. I lost my legs but got away with my life. You can't let it drag you down."
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As a lazy guy, I've never been compelled to enter any sort of marathon. But having spoken to Stuart "Robbo" Robinson about his desire, determination and rehabilitation in the face of extreme adversity, that might change.
If anybody deserves even the smallest of donations, it's Corporal Stuart Robinson and Team Legless. Dig deep, lads, and donate here.
Image credits: Provided by Cpl Stuart Robinson and Team Legless
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