A former snowboard instructor from Powys who was left bedbound and unable to speak by a neurological condition is attempting to claim the world record for the furthest skied using seated equipment.

After suffering from a viral infection at 25 years old, Olly Jones, from Llandyssil, near Abermule, was left bed bound for several years and unable to speak.

Despite his initial condition improving, the 39-year-old still suffers from joint pains, fatigue and headaches.

But he has turned his illness into a business by establishing the UK’s first sit ski company ArcticFox Adaptive – and is set to compete alongside seven other sit skiers from around the country as part of the record-breaking challenge in aid of Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK).

The target for the team is to surpass 44 kilometres skied in eight hours by descending the 180m long slope - the longest indoor real snow slope in the UK - at the Chill Factore in Manchester today (Monday, September 25) equating to the group skiing an average of 38 runs per hour.

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“Whilst I used to snowboard a lot before my illness, I was fully able bodied so had never tried sit skiing," Olly said.

"It’s a sport I first discovered four years ago through DSUK and has allowed me to find moments of complete freedom from my condition and the day-to-day struggles and discomfort that my disease presents.

"It allows me to regain my sense of adventure and enjoy the thrill and speed of a sport that I so longingly enjoyed prior to falling ill.”

Olly, who has a background in design, added: “It’s a funny story. I actually started to design my first sit ski, whilst I was learning to sit ski myself!

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"When I first heard about the world record attempt, it was a ‘no brainer’ for me to wish to take part - not only to try and set a new record, but also help to promote the sport indefinitely.

"For me, it’s all about the experience of skiing with a group of awesome people and the sense that we are skiing as individuals but working as a team to achieve something together.”

Virginia Anderson, CEO of DSUK said: “We are aiming to raise a minimum of £3,000 from the world record attempt. All donations will go directly towards enabling people with all types of disabilities to take part in skiing and snowboarding at adaptive snow sport schools throughout the UK.

"We exist to help people like Olly, and through his efforts, we are certain he will inspire others to have a go too. By taking on this incredible challenge, Olly and the team are going a long way in helping us as a small charity to share the enjoyment of snow sports with many more disabled children and adults across the county.”

Tom Roffey, General Manager at Chill Factore, said: "We are proud to support this amazing event which not only showcases the adaptive skiing community but also raises money for more disabled people to enjoy the thrill and life-changing benefits of snow sports".