WHEN para-athlete Jonathan Brough completed his Great Run Solo – a virtual running challenge to raise funds for the NHS - he wasn’t expecting a reception committee.

But, as he wheeled up the road to the Old Lodge in Minchinhampton, he was greeted with a huge FINISH banner and a waving crowd of friends and relatives waiting to congratulate him.

“I had no idea there would be people there,” he said.

“It felt very good, hearing everyone cheer.”

And it really has been a huge achievement for this 32-year-old Minchinhampton man, who is paralysed from the neck down and permanently attached to a breathing machine.

Not only has Jonathan raised more than £1,000 for NHS Charities Together (and counting); but the 100km total he travelled in less than a month was his most gruelling challenge to date.

He covered the distance by planning on and off-road routes around Minchinhampton, doing an average of 3.5km a day in his all-terrain wheelchair.

Jonathan’s spinal injury – sustained through a devastating bout of meningitis at the age of 19 – is limiting, and he spent part of the month confined to home through ill-health.

“But that just makes me more determined to do things like this," he said.

"The rainy days we’ve had in June also made things harder. When the weather was worst, I put on my waterproof poncho and did 40 minutes in my garden.”

If you imagine that’s the end of it, then you don’t know Jonathan.

“I've had another email from Great Run about GNR (Great North Run) Solo, a challenge to do 40 'runs' in 78 days, finishing on September 13,” he said.

“I have just entered and will be doing parts of it in the chair and the rest on my ‘electric’ bike.

"It’s for the same NHS charities so I’m keeping my Just Giving page open.”

• You can see some of Jonathan’s race – including his final lap and victory spin - on his Facebook page at facebook.com/jonathan.brough.3

• And you can sponsor him and raise money for the NHS at justgiving.com/fundraising/jonathan-brough6

• To find out more about the Great Run Solo virtual running challenge, raising funds for the NHS, visit: greatrun.org