Amputee takes on Irish Sea jet-ski challenge

An amputee took to the high seas today, jet-skiing 250 miles from Ireland to Britain.

Matt Browne, who had a leg amputated five years ago, is taking up the challenge to raise funds to help others with disabilities.

The 52-year-old will be stopping at Carlingford in Louth and Port St Mary on the Isle of Man, before crossing busy shipping lanes to Conway Bay and Holyhead in North Wales. The adventurer will return to Howth on July 8.

And Mr Browne, who had a leg amputated in 2000 due to a combination of diabetes, bad circulation and years of heavy smoking, vowed to complete the challenge no matter how tough it gets.

“It’s going to take four or five days and it’s going to be tough,” he said. “It’s like going up a continuous hill, hitting the waves all the time, and you have to know how to handle them. There are a lot of body movements. But if something happens we will have support boats on hand.

“If I have to wait until September I’ll finish it. I won’t be back at Howth until I do. I never back down on a challenge.”

The fundraiser, from Clane, Dublin, has so far raised €30,000 for Rehab.

Mr Browne will be joined on the trip by his daughter Laura, a trained paramedic, his team-mates – Dave Kelly, Dave O’Hora, Oliver Swords and Joe Swords – and a number of support vessels.