A MAN who is lucky to be alive will be carrying the Olympic Torch today after taking on the gruelling challenge of climbing Mount Snowdon in a wheelchair at the weekend.

In April 2009, Tom Toolan was injured in a 50ft fall down a stairwell in Switzerland leaving him with a damaged spinal cord, eight broken ribs and punctured lungs.

As a result of his injuries, Tom endured many operations, the longest lasting nine and a half hours, and was in hospital for seven months.

Despite now being in a wheelchair, the 32-year-old, from Old Town, is living an independent life and has returned to work as an IT solutions architect. Tom has remained positive throughout his experience and and today will aim to inspire others when he carries the flame through Tidworth.

Since his accident he has continued making the most out of life and, thanks to the charity Back Up Trust, he has been rock climbing, skiing, canoeing.

On Saturday, Tom and his team also took on the challenge of climbing Mount Snowdon to give something back to the charity.

The Back Up Trust helps people with spinal cord injuries, which includes mentoring, wheelchair skills training and activity courses, as well as support in getting back to work or school after an injury.

Tom said: “We wanted to raise as much money for Back Up Trust as possible.

“They do so much for people by rehabilitating them and helping them get back into a normal way of life.

“I have been away with them on training courses, rock climbing and skiing.”

The team set off from Swindon on Friday and had a safety briefing before they set off on the trek at 7.30am on Saturday.

“It was hard work but it was an amazing experience and we made it to the top,” said Tom.

“The biggest challenge was going to be the terrain.

“The terrain was full of boulders and steps which were difficult to tackle.”

Tom will now be heading to Tidworth where he will have the privilege of carrying the Olympic Torch.

“I am really excited about that,” he said. “When it came through Swindon I went up to Commercial Road to see it and have seen the excitement around it.

“It is a real honour to have that opportunity.”

Damien Davies, 35, an IT manager from Cricklade, who lost his close friend Wayne Wilson to leukaemia last year, will also be carrying the torch today through Ludgershall as inspiration for Team Wayne.

He said: “When the torch came to Swindon it was such a special day for the town.

“Now I’m really looking forward to the excitement of the Games. I’m lucky because I’ve still got my moment of holding the torch for Team Wayne.”