Ayr man Colin Duthie takes on latest challenge

Oct 10 2008 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HE might have one leg, but Colin Duthie tackles more than the average man.

And fresh from hiking up Ben Nevis in his wheelchair, Colin faced his wackiest challenge yet.

The Ayr dad joined 35 team-mates to haul a 57 tonne Boeing 757 along a runway while sitting in their chairs.

Colin, who works for South Ayrshire Council, helped achieve the world record pull of 110 metres at Lasham Airfield.

He was the only Scot to take part in the event.

And he admitted: “It was a very exciting event and the success of the team will shortly be confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records. The challenge took place in the wind and rain and it took a lot of hard work and determination to achieve our goal.

“The crowd of over 2500 people who came to watch gave us great encouragement and there was a great atmosphere.

“The event clearly demonstrated that even tasks that seem impossible can be achieved with teamwork and a shared vision.

“I will be giving presentations on behalf of the council to school children and other groups about my experience and I am sure that it will enable me to foster positive attitudes and perceptions about what people with disabilities can achieve.”

The British Disabled Flying Association (BDFA), who provide opportunities in aviation for disabled people, invited Colin to take part in the world record attempt after hearing about him reaching the top of Ben Nevis earlier this year in his wheelchair.

Colin added: “I would like to thank everyone in the council and others who sponsored me, the funds will be put to very good use.

“To date I have raised nearly £1000 and am still collecting sponsorship pledges.”

Councillor Brian Connolly, chair of the council’s group on Equalities and Diversity, said: “I would like to congratulate Colin and the rest of the team on their outstanding achievement. Colin will be giving a number of talks to people with additional support needs, and others, about his experience.

“I am sure that his achievement will be an inspiration to many people and let them see that people with additional support needs can achieve great things.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor Colin can e-mail him at colin.duthie@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or log on to www.justgiving.com/757pull