A FORMER Army captain from Craven is to be part of a team which will take on one of the world's toughest cycling challenges - to raise cash for 'Help for Heroes.'

Rob Cromey-Hawke, of Cowling, will be part of an eight-man group of riders for the world-famous ultra-endurance Race Across America in June.

And the team of cyclists, who will race in relays for more than 3,000 miles non-stop, are trying to raise £100,000 for the charity, which helps services personnel who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses.

As well as raising money, the Help for Heroes riders, who have all suffered psychological and physical wounds, are using the race as a recovery tool.

Thirty-three year-old Rob spent 12 years in the Army before being injured during a tour of Afghanistan in 2012, when the vehicle in which he was travelling drove over an improvised explosive device.

He suffered hearing loss and brain injury, which has left him with memory and concentration problems, as well as balance, dizziness and light sensitivity issues. His spinal cord was damaged, resulting in loss of sensation and power in both lower legs and his right arm.

Rob now requires assistance and supervision for everyday chores like cooking, and relies on the use of technology and alarms to aid memory. He is unable to walk or stand for prolonged periods without losing his balance or tripping over.

Rob, who lives with his wife Karen, 18-month-old daughter Pippa and Karen's sons Connor and Charlie, moved to Cowling four years ago. He grew up in Spain, and also lived for a time in Steeton.

When cycling, Rob rides a recumbent tricycle, which he will be riding across America.

He said: "I have been doing training rides of 10-15 hours a week since Christmas. "There's obviously a bit of the unknown for all of us about the Race Across America, but there is also a sense of anticipation. I enjoy being part of a team - for me that was one of the benefits of military life.

"Cycling allows me to regulate my weight, which has a huge influence on my mood and psychological well-being; it also provides me with an ‘escape’ to clear my head and push myself physically, which is something I used to do pre-injury through running but can no longer."

The Race Across America is not the first tough sporting challenge that Rob, a former captain in the Royal Engineers, has taken on, having also completed two Ironman races and won a large collection of medals at two Invictus Games. And he was a member of the first disabled team to complete the 'Arch to Arc' London to Paris ultra- endurance triathlon.

Rob, who is in the process of establishing his own coaching business, said: "I want to continue pushing my physical boundaries and this seemed the next extraordinary challenge to attempt, especially as it will be in support of the charity that has given so much to me and my family.”

The Race Across America started in 1982 and has no stages. Racers must cycle 3,000 miles, across 12 states from the west coast of California to Annapolis in Maryland on the east coast.

Rob's team will need to maintain an average speed of over 18.3 mph, covering a minimum of 440 miles a day, to complete the race in seven to eight days.

Donations can be made at: www.helpforheroes.org.uk/give-support