In a bid to raise the profile of the Blood Services and raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, two men are taking part in solo sea kayak and hand-cycle expedition around Great Britain.

David Abrutat and Nigel Rogoff are travelling an estimated 3,000 miles over 130 days during the Round Britain Challenge which started from Tower Bridge in London on May 10.

As well as aiming to enrol 100,000 new blood donors, the pair are hoping to raise £100,000 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

These aims alone would be an incredible undertaking for anyone but, RAF officer David is paralysed from the chest down as a result of a car accident and ex-RAF Flight Sergeant Nigel is an amputee who lost a leg in a parachuting accident.

The two met in January last year during rehabilitation when Nigel was already planning to kayak round the coast of Britain.

Inspired by each others determination not to give up under the enormous physical and emotional strain of their accidents and injuries, they agreed to do the challenge, which sees David hand-cycling round the country and Nigel paddling round the coast in a sea-kayak.

As both men owe their lives to blood transfusions following their accidents, they are keen to help the UK National Blood Services by recruiting more blood donors.

The Royal British Legion, Britain's leading ex-service charity, also played a vital part in their recovery, so the challenge, which is one of the nominated Golden Jubilee Year Listed events, is their way of saying thank you.

David arrived in Tenby last Thursday, staying overnight at Kiln Park - where he celebrated his birthday - before setting off for Milford Haven on the next leg of his epic journey.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the Blood Donation Service can contact freephone (0800) 252266.