Team Legless at the Sulby Glen pub

A soldier who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan has cycled the 37.73 mile TT Mountain Course for charity using his hands.

While serving in Helmand province in Afghanistan in 2013, Stuart ‘Robbo’ Robinson’s patrol vehicle hit an explosive device while protecting Camp Bastion.

He lost both legs and suffered 18 fractures of the spine, a fractured pelvis and arm, three fractures of the jaw and broken shoulder blades.

On Saturday, Stuart, from Morecambe, was part of Team Legless which braved terrible weather to complete a lap of the course.

Also part of the team was Anton Shephard, who is paralysed from the chest down after a motocross bike landed on his back during a crash in April 2014.

Forces veteran Kurt McGuinness, brother of TT legend John, also took part. Although Kurt is not disabled he too completed the challenge on a hand bike.

Stuart said after finishing the challenge: 

‘The ride was an amazing experience, definitely not helped by the weather – but that was one factor we couldn’t change.

‘We were making good time up to Sulby and then we hit the inclines where things became a little bit more strenuous.

‘The mountain section was pretty demanding. The closing in of the fog and mist made it extremely difficult to view the road ahead and was often like cycling blind!

‘When we started the downhill ride, things obviously got easier and the whole team’s spirits were lifted.

He added: 

‘The pace picked up and myself and Kurt were ecstatic to finish the course together.

‘Our online target has already been smashed and we have quite a large offline donation, too.’

The team has already raised £2,727 online, beating their target of £2,000.


The money raised will go to a number of charities, which include the Royal Air Forces Association, Royal Air Forces Benevolent Fund, British Limbless Ex-serviceman Association (Blesma) and F13K Cancer.