A MAN who could have lost his hand in a “moment of madness” is cycling from one end of the UK to the other.

Stephen Hall will be cycling from Land’s End to John O’ Groats in September and will be raising money for the MS Society.

Mr Hall, 52, who works at a children’s nursery in Colchester, said: “About 18 months ago I was laying some decking in the garden.

“I got to the last piece of decking and for some reason swapped hands with the electric saw.

“The saw ran across the top of my hand and broke my fingers. Thankfully I didn’t lose them. I was treated that night and thankfully all my nerves were fine.

“It made me realise what we take for granted and how lucky I was to have the NHS there.”

After recovering, he has been researching the issues of nerve damage, and although his condition is not related to MS, he stumbled across the charity the MS Society.

Multiple sclerosis is an incurable condition which affects the brain and spinal cord. The coating which protects the nerves is damaged causing a range of debilitating symptoms.

Mr Hall, who lives in Halstead and works at the Cheeky Monkeys Day Nursery in Colchester, said: “If we can help get someone that feeling back, that would be amazing.

“The MS Society is not recognised as much as other charities but for me it means so much.”

To support the charity he will be cycling about 1,000 miles over nine days.

He said: “I’m doing this to challenge myself. I always fancied driving the route as a child but never got there.

“I thought it would be easy but I didn’t imagine the amount of effort that goes into training. It’s about 100 miles a day.

Mr Hall’s nursery children will be taking part in their own charity cycling events for him.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-hall41.