Amputee to jet-ski around Irish coast in bid for charity

AN AMPUTEE is going for gold by attempting to be the first person to ride around the Irish coast on a jet-ski.

Grandfather Matt Browne, who lost his lower left leg to diabetes six years ago, marked his 54th birthday yesterday by setting off from Howth on the 900-mile marathon.

Gearing himself up for the challenge, the former truck driver from Kildare hopes to use the epic journey to raise €100,000 for Rehab Group.

The fundraiser will travel for up to seven hours a day, and is hoping for good weather and seas to get him around the country in good time. The keen musician will also be holding cabaret and fundraising events at various ports along the way to boost donations and guarantees all funds raised will be used to finance local Rehab programmes.

“This is definitely the toughest and most gruelling challenge I have ever undertaken,” said Matt, who plans to be back at the capital on July 14.

“To keep going for three weeks is going to be very physically demanding, but I won’t come back to Dublin until I have completed the course.”

Over the years Matt has developed a reputation for his innovative and unique approach to fundraising.

Before his amputation he reversed a bus around Ireland for charity, and last year successfully completed a 250-mile round trip from Howth to Holyhead, raising over €30,000. He also organised Ireland ’s first Sheep Steeplechase Race and the Thorny Rose competition — a male alternative to the Rose of Tralee.

Donations supporting Matt’s fundraising drive can be made to Rehab Foundation Ltd, Bank of Ireland College Green, Dublin 2. Account Number: 46938790, Sort Code: 900017.

* His travel diary is online at www.rehabjetski.com