On 14 August 2020, Corporal Thomas Green – a Physical Training Instructor with the First Fusiliers – set out to ride 100 miles for the veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress. It was his first challenge for a cause close to his heart, and it should have been a day of grit, sweat, and satisfaction.
Instead, just 40 miles into the ride, at precisely 08:04, tragedy struck. A lorry travelling at 60 mph hit Tom from behind. He was rushed to Southampton Hospital, underwent emergency surgery, and was left with life-changing spinal injuries. Tom a man whose life revolved around physical fitness was now a wheelchair user.
For most, the road ahead would have been solely about recovery. For Tom, it became about redefining what was possible.
The Mile That Never Ended
Even as he lay in hospital, friends, family, and colleagues finished the remaining 60 miles of that ride in his honour, raising vital funds for Combat Stress. That spirit of teamwork and determination became the foundation for what would follow.
Exactly one year later – to the minute of his accident – Tom was back in action. At 08:04 on 14 August 2021, alongside three colleagues at the Lakefest Festival, he took on a grueling Ski Erg relay for eight straight hours, covering an incredible 99,060 metres for Combat Stress and the Fusilier Aid Society.
It was the start of a tradition: every year, on the anniversary of his accident, Tom would take on a new physical challenge, each one tougher than the last – always starting at 8:04am.
The Challenges So Far ...
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2021: Ski Erg Challenge – 99,060m in 8 hours
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2022: Tackling Snowdonia – navigating the rugged terrain in his adapted equipment
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2023: Hadrian’s Wall Hand-Crank Ride – 84 miles in 10.5 hours in pouring rain, as featured by the BBC
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2024: The Big Return to Pen Y Fan – the famous Brecon Beacons peak
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2025: Embrace the Hurtlocker – tomorrow’s monumental endurance event
To date, Tom has raised over £20,000 for Combat Stress, proving that determination is a far more powerful force than circumstance.
Why It Matters
For many, adapting to life after a spinal cord injury is a long and painful process. For Tom, a former PTI, the thought of extreme physical challenges so soon after injury would have seemed impossible to most – but he chose to prove otherwise.
By maintaining extraordinary fitness and adapting his training methods, he’s shown fellow service members and the wider public that disability does not define capability. His message is clear:
“I still do everything I used to – but it looks pretty different now.”
Embrace the Hurtlocker – Tomorrow’s Challenge
On 14 August 2025, Tom will once again mark the anniversary of his accident – not with quiet reflection, but with six relentless hours of physical punishment, designed to test every muscle, every joint, and every ounce of willpower.
The format:
5 rounds of 10 minutes work, 2 minutes recovery on:
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Wheel
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Ski Erg
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Row
Between each set, 50-minute AMRAP circuits, including:
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Muscle-ups, dips, pull-ups, wall balls
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Sled pulls, kettlebell carries, sandbag turns, sled drags
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Cleans, presses, snatches, and more
It’s the kind of workout that would break even elite athletes and Tom will do it in full view of TV cameras, supporters, veterans, and anyone who still doubts what’s possible after devastating injury.
Why We’ll Be Watching
Every rep, every turn of the wheel, every lift will carry a message for veterans battling both physical injury and invisible wounds: with the right mindset, you can embrace the pain and turn it into power.
Tom’s journey is not just about fundraising. It’s about showing that we can all write our own comeback story – no matter where life leaves us.
Tomorrow at 08:04, he’ll begin again. We’ll be cheering him.
Support Tom’s mission and Combat Stress here: https://events.combatstress.org.uk/fundraisers/thomasgreen
