A MAN whose rare condition requires him to have 24/7 care defied the odds by completing a ten-mile military challenge.

Cal Brennan, 23, was born with Lesch–Nyhan syndrome, a complex cocktail of conditions including autism, cerebral palsy and tourettes.

His high-risk condition means he is wheelchair bound and has no muscle control meaning he needs around-the-clock care.

But it did not stop him signing up to the Paras10 challenge in Colchester.

The gruelling race is open to soldiers and civilians who are brave enough to run across fields and through mud and water from Abbey Field and through Friday Woods.

Around the course troops fire machine guns and throw smoke grenades at the competitors.

And Cal was in his element. His dad Tom, from West Mersea, said: “He is clever and ambitious. I always tell him he can do whatever he wants and that’s what happened with this event.

“He is likely to be the first person ever to try it in a wheelchair.

“It was still gruelling for him but he loved it.”

Team Cal Cal consisted of Cal and dad Tom, Cal’s friend and carer Alex Walton, cousin Stephen Blacklock and family friend Chris Gardiner.

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The team pushed Cal in his manual wheelchair but did suffer a few setbacks.

Tom said: “The wheels fell of his chair while we were in the water. Some strangers jumped in the river to help carry Cal across.

“We had to carry him for a mile and a half. The Army contacted a Land Rover to meet us with tools so we could fix the chair and carry on.

“It was harder than we expected but it was quite dramatic, it was great. No-one could have done more to help us and Cal felt completely part of it.”

Cal does not let his condition hold him back. He offers rugby coaching at schools alongside his dad, has his own adapted quad bike and loves to go skiing.