Amputee's joy on finishing 250-mile jet ski challenge

An amputee has successfully completed a 250-mile fundraising trip across rough seas on a jet ski, it was confirmed today.

Matt Browne, who had a leg amputated five years ago, arrived back at Howth, Co Dublin after completing the five-day exhausting trip to raise cash for people with disabilities.

“I’m pretty exhausted, but thrilled to have completed the challenge,” the 52-year-old said.

“At times the sea conditions were very choppy and it was tough going. Tuesday’s journey from Carlingford to Port St Mary in the Isle of Man was particularly demanding. Every wave was like going over a steeplechase fence.”

The fundraiser from Clane, Co Kildare has so far raised €30,000 for the Rehab charity which provides services and assistance for the disabled.

Mr Browne set off on the 250-mile trip from Howth Yacht Club in Dublin last Monday, before stopping off in Carlingford, Co Louth, the Isle of Man and Holyhead in Wales.

The fundraiser said the final stage of the challenge was the longest with the team travelling across the Irish Sea from Holyhead to Howth in four hours.

“The task was made even harder by the fact that I had to remove my prosthetic limb, so balance was difficult. But I trained hard in the gym over the past six months and the hours I spent developing my upper body strength really paid off,” he said.

Mr Browne was accompanied on the trip by his daughter Laura, who is a trained paramedic, his team mates – Dave O’Hora, Oliver Swords and Joe Swords – as well as a number of support vessels.

Before he set off, 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.

He revealed the Isle of Man to Holyhead stage on Wednesday last was hampered by bad weather.

Mr Browne said the team had to return to Port St Mary after just 30 minutes on the open sea.

However, the improved weather conditions over the past two days ensured the fundraisers made up for the lost time and arrived into Howth ahead of schedule.

The fundraiser has organised a number of high profile events for the Rehab charity, which provides services and assistance for the disabled, including an alternative male Rose of Tralee and a 750-mile bus reverse trip around Ireland.