TV actor supports veteran’s epic cycling challenge at Worthing hospital home

Warrant Officer Steve Boylan came to the hospital home in December 2018, having been cared for in different hospitals for three years.

After returning home from a second tour of duty in Afghanistan, he was involved in a near-fatal road accident while out riding his beloved motorbike. He suffered a massive brain injury, which paralysed one side of his body and left him with speech and memory difficulties.

At the age of 39, Steve went from action hero and keen sportsman to suddenly being unable to walk and confined to a wheelchair.

At Care for Veterans, in Boundary Road, Steve has been receiving regular physiotherapy, which has given him a new determination to try to walk again and his goal is to take five paces on his own by Christmas.

He uses a static cycle to build strength in his legs and has set himself a challenge to cycle the 874-mile distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for the charity.

Peter Boylan, Steve’s dad, said: “This challenge is a major one for Steve, due to the severity of the injury to his brain, which has greatly affected his movement, memory and speech.

“However, with such amazing support and with his determination to succeed, I know he will complete the challenge and raise much-needed funds for Care for Veterans, who have given Steve the ability and confidence to take all this on.”

Christopher Timothy, star of All Creatures Great and Small, Doctors and Eastenders, found out about the challenge at a charity event at Arundel Castle and later visited the hospital home to show Steve some support.

Christopher said: “I heard about Steve and how badly he was injured and was amazed to find out that he has taken on this epic challenge. I just had to meet him and let him know how much I admire his courage and determination and wish him the best of luck with this initiative.”

During his visit, which was before the coronavirus restrictions were put in place, Christopher also visited the physiotherapy and social and recreation departments, and met many of the disabled veterans who call Care for Veterans home.

He said: “I’ve always supported our Armed Forces and was only too happy to support this local charity that cares for our disabled veterans, young and old.

“You really have to visit the facility to appreciate the amazing work that they do and what a happy place it is. The veterans there are receiving fantastic care and rehabilitation and it was great to meet Steve and see him cycling away with such determination.”

Steve has so far cycled more than 380 miles, the equivalent distance from Land’s End to Preston in Lancashire, and raised more than £500.

Captain Dave Curry, Steve’s friend and former colleague, has helped by setting up a JustGiving page and put together a plan for Steve’s route, indicating targets for him to meet each month throughout this year.

Dave said: “A good Royal Engineer proverb is ‘always be prepared to improvise, adapt and overcome’. I reminded Steve of this to encourage and motivate him, not only for this challenge but for all of his rehabilitation.

“Before his injury, he had completed charity challenges, so it’s great that this gives him the opportunity to take on another, and to give something back to Care for Veterans, which provides such amazing support for Steve.”

Some of Steve’s former colleagues were also there to support him and met Christopher Timothy during his visit.

Steve hopes to raise £874, £1 for each mile cycled. Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-curry4steve-boylan to make a donation.

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