AARON Timms’s family was told he may never walk again after he was involved in a horrific car crash.

But although his spinal chord was severed, the engineer never gave up hope.

Even when he confounded experts by learning to walk again, he wasn’t satisfied and is now set to take on a 265-mile bike ride from London to Paris.

He will ride an average of more than 50 miles a day for five days as he raises £1,500 for charity Sense, which helps people who are deaf and blind.

Mr Timms’s spine was operated on for six hours at Queen’s Hospital, Romford, four days after the crash in Colchester, in 2008.

Doctors then ran daily reflex and spatial awareness tests on his lower back, but initial results were not positive and he could not feel his legs.

After three weeks at Romford, Mr Timms was moved to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, in Buckinghamshire, where, against all the odds, he began to have feeling in his thigh.

His condition got steadily better, and in December he took his first aided steps.

In February 2009, he walked out of hospital, 20 weeks after the lifechanging accident.

Mr Timms said: “At one point I didn’t think I was going to walk again.

“The support I’ve had from everyone has been amazing, but now, for me, it is about the fundraising.”

The 27-year-old started cycling 18 months ago, but his mind was focussed after a work colleague nonchalantly left a faxed leaflet for the London to Paris Bike Ride on his desk.

Mr Timms said: “I had a half-hearted look at it for a few days, then I thought, ‘I’ll do it’.”

His first thought was to continue the incredible work his family, especially his mum, Jane Tucker, has done with Spinal Research.

She has spearheaded fundraising worth thousands of pounds since her son’s injury, but after reading about Sense, he wanted to help.

Mr Timms, of Dugard Avenue, Colchester, added: “I understand the feeling of restriction and how debilitating it can be, regardless of the injury or difficulty.

“God knows, I’ve spent enough time in a wheelchair to know that.

“The work Sense does is amazing and I want to help how I can.

“I am by no means done with fundraising for Spinal Research, but for this one event, I am focussed on Sense.”

His challenge takes place in July.

To contribute to Mr Timms’ fundraising, visit justgiving.com/Aaron- Timms.