Martin is also a 'Challenge Addict' and has completed  multiple challenges such as climbing Mt Kilimanjaro,  long distance cycling challenges including South Africa, Vietnam and Cambodia, Western Australia, John O'Groats to Lands End,  2100 miles unsupported around New Zealand in 2009, and cycling over 1000 miles clockwise around Ireland in 2018.  He has also completed several Marathons, long distance runs, freefall parachuting and other challenges, mainly  for charity causes. This is despite being told 40 years ago that he would never dive nor be physically active again after major surgery to his spine after a serious accident. However, his stubborn motto and philosophy has always been;  "There's no such word as can't"...  and "No pain, no gain!..."

(Click on images below to enlarge the photos)

INTERESTS, HOBBIES, ACTIVITIES:
Some previous challenges and events;
Karate: Goju Ryu;  Member of Isle of Wight Karate Club for many years, then after a request from the local village community, set up Bembridge Karate Club in 1993; Resident instructor at Bembridge Karate Club from 1993 to 2003. Grade; Shodan (Black Belt 1st Dan)  
Climbing; 
Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5896 metres) October 2009... for RNLI & IWHLT Charities
Climbed Sydney Bridge 2008
Cycling:
Oct. 1999  Completed bike ride across South Africa for RNLI, raising £4000.
Cycled 2100 miles (3460 km, unsupported) end to end/around New Zealand for charity Oct/Dec 2009. Raised £14000+ 
Cycled John O'Groats to Lands End and then across Vietnam & Cambodia Sept/Oct 2011
Cycled 500 km around SW Australia March 2013
Cycled several 100k 'Round the IOW Randonnees'
Cycled over 1000 miles clockwise around Ireland in Sept 2018 to support local charity
Shooting;   Rifle and Pistol  Firearms License  &  Shotgun Certificate 1986-2011; (Former Member of Shanklin Rifle & Pistol Club). 
Parachuting;  
3 x Red Devils SL Certificatess 1984, 
 AFF Freefall Parachuting Course/Certificates in 1985,.
Base- jumped (by wire) off Auckland Sky Tower (192 meters) Feb '08
Running;  
IW Traverse (29 miles) 1985.  
“Race against Time” Certificate 1986.   
Completed 4 x London Marathons 1986, 1987, 1988 & 1989,  Best time 3hrs 46mins. Substantial amounts raised for Charities. 
Completed a 60 mile, 12hrs solo run right around the Isle of Wight in 1987 for charity, raised £3500 for RNLI and Cancer Relief
Rowing; 
Rowed across Solent in a bathtub(!) from Cowes to Calshot in 1971 to raise funds for the RNLI.
70 mile circumnavigation row around Isle of Wight in old dinghy for RNLI funds in July 1995.  Raised £1400 for local RNLI lifeboat equipment. 
Aug1998; 10 mile row in vintage 1887 RNLI lifeboat 'Queen Victoria' (1887) around Nab Tower to raise funds. 
Sept 98 & Sept 2001; 22 mile row, 'Great River Race' down River Thames, London,  in 1887 'Queen Victoria' (1887) lifeboat
Flying; 
Commenced PPL flying course in 1985.
1996; Flew with pilot colleague across the North Atlantic route to Canada/USA in Piper Aztec Twin...via Iceland, Greenland, Canada, USA, Caribbean and Central America to Panama then back through Caribbean Islands to Florida.
1998; Microlight lesson
2002; Gliding Lesson
Two RAF  fast jet exercises (H.A.M. & low level SAPS through Welsh Valleys) in BAE Hawk jets at RAF Valley 1997 and 2000 
Ski-ing  Many trips since 1976, Norway, Italy, France, USA
White water rafting; 
New Zealand: Queenstown Shotover Rapids Nov 2009
Walking; Many long distance walks, charity and other, up to 30 miles distance; Numerous other charity events and fundraising activities
Windsurfing;  Started 1984
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