A disabled dad-of-eight has set off on a second challenge of a gruelling trans-continental charity ride on his specialist cycle.

Darren “Hotwheels” Sables is riding from his home in Doncaster to Lauchringen, near the German/Swiss border, and then onto Les Sables-d’Olonne in France.

The 38-year-old, who admits it is a “crazy” challenge and his “toughest handcycle ride yet”, reckons it will be a 2,000-3,000 return journey – without any back-up – and take just over a month.

It’s all in aid of Support Dogs, the Sheffield-based charity which provides and trains assistance dogs to help autistic children, as well as adults with epilepsy or a physical disability live more safely and independently.

It comes just six months after “Hotwheels” – who earned his nickname from medics due to his speediness in his wheelchair – tackled a 770-mile ride in his handcycle from Doncaster to Helmond in the Netherlands, raising £525 for Support Dogs.

Hotwheels is a former paramedic who became paralysed in July 2020 following a battle with his mental health.

But since then, Hotwheels, who was left with a spinal cord injury, says his outlook on life has become brighter, and he is keen to help others.

“What I’m looking forward to the most is raising £1,000 for Support Dogs,” said Hotwheels. What I’m least looking forward to is if it rains – I don’t want to be soaked. But I will just have to just push through it. Support Dogs can change a person’s life, so much so any help to reach my goal is going to be amazing – this trip will push me to my limit at times but I’ll be thinking it’s all for Support Dogs.”

Towing his custom-built fahrradwohnwagen, or bike camper, Hotwheels set off from his home on April 2 and will head for the Hull ferry terminal via Howden to catch a P&O Cruise.

He will disembark at Europoort in Rotterdam, and his first over-night stop will be at LS Tilburg campsite, in the Netherlands, and then Zonhoven and Liege in Belgium, followed by Luxembourg before heading into Germany.

He expects to cover between 60 and 80km each day and will use solar power to power his devices.

He will visit the SPEZI specialist bikes trade fair before heading towards France on a route yet to be decided, although it will involve going through the Alps, yet Hotwheels says if he encounters any difficulties there, “it’s all part of cycling” and he will work it out.

He is heading for Les Sables-d’Olonne, on the west coast of France, due to the resort containing his family name.

Hotwheels says he won’t be lonely on the trip, as if the Dutch are anything to go by, people are usually intrigued by his unusual mode of transport and strike up a conversation.

Hotwheels is charting his journey on his online JustGiving page.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Darren can visit www.justgiving.com and search for Hotwheels Sables.

To find out more about Support Dogs, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.