FREEMASONS from Southend and Maldon are supporting a disabled wheelchair racer to help him achieve his dream of winning medals for Britain.

Andy Bracey, 42, of Southend, is already winning medals for his “wheelchair racing” having earned two silver and two bronze medals at the Invictus Games in Orlando in the United States in 2016 and improved with his performance at the games in Toronto, Canada with four silver medals last year.

But despite being a successful winner, Mr Bracey covers all funding himself, and now needs to raise £4,000 to cover extensive training in Spain before taking part in trials in Switzerland in May to help him prepare against the best competitors to go onto more international competitions.

The Wheel of Fellowship Freemasons lodge in Maldon has already donated £200 to Mr Bracey’s cause, with more donations expected soon.

Mr Bracey was injured in a motorcycle accident during leave from the Army in 2005. After several unsuccessful operations on his spine he was confined to a wheelchair, and was told he would never walk again.

He thought at the time that his life was over and found that he could not cope anymore.

With support from his family – particularly his three step daughters - he discovered wheelchair basketball and quickly progressed with help from friends to wheelchair racing.

At the time of the accident Mr Bracey was in the Territorial Army and had served many tours in Kenya and was about to go to Afghanistan.

Whilst at home on leave and out on his motorbike he was struck by a van that failed to stop which caused the severe spinal injuries.

However the accident has made him more determined that this life changing disability will spur him on to greater things.

Mr Bracey said: “I can achieve a top speed of 18 mph at the moment, my aim is to reach 24.5 mph and this can only be done with extensive training. Unfortunately most disabled athletes don’t attract funding. I am grateful for the support I’ve received so far from Essex Freemasons.”