Students inspired by Colin

10:05am Friday 28th December 2007

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THE captivating tale of a 20-year-old whose life was dramatically altered in a diving accident has prompted a school to raise money in his honour.

Kenyan-born Colin Javens was invited to Kingsdown School in Stratton St Margaret to speak at its GCSE presentation night, and his inspirational story saw families give generously to the charity Spinal Research.

Colin, now 27, was left paralysed from the shoulders down when he jumped from a harbour wall on the Isle of Wight into the sea, which turned out to be just a couple of feet deep. Now, with money raised through a non-uniform day - including staff paying to dress in the school's black and red uniforms - the school has handed over a cheque for £1,500 to Colin.

Seven years on from his accident, Colin spends his time working to raise money for Spinal Research and more than three years after he left hospital he embarked on road trip marathon through Europe and Africa - a childhood dream - which netted £500,000 for the charity. He spent a year in hospital but was then able to return to university to complete his degree before planning the 21,000km (13,000 miles) Driving Home expedition, travelling from Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, via Egypt and Kenya, to Cape Town in South Africa.

Kingsdown headteacher Wendy Taylor said: "It was spontaneous, we didn't ask for the donations. Colin's story of triumph over adversity was so inspirational we decided to raise some more."

Colin got behind the wheel of a specially adapted Land Rover about two years ago, completing the challenge in April last year with 10 pressure sores and third degree burns on his legs after dropping a cup of tea on himself which he couldn't feel.

"But we raised over £500,000 so it was more than worth it," said Colin.

"I wouldn't swap anything for that experience, and I'd get the pressure sores and burns again."

For more information about Colin and Driving Home visit www.drivinghome.co.uk.