Ex-Brize man paddles around Britain (From Witney Gazette)

Ex-Brize man paddles around Britain

1:44pm Friday 4th July 2008 in Witney By Thom Airs

A FORMER Oxfordshire parachutist, who lost a leg after smashing into the roof of a football stand, has said circumnavigating the coast of Britain is his toughest challenge yet.

Nigel Rogoff suffered horrific injuries in front of 40,000 fans as he hit the roof of Villa Park, in Birmingham, and fell 80ft during a half-time stunt led by the RAF Hawks display team, based at Weston-on-the-Green.

The accident, in December 1998, left Mr Rogoff, who was dressed as Father Christmas at the time, with two broken legs, a fractured pelvis, and broken ribs. His left leg was amputated above the knee.

The RAF Flight Sargeant, who had completed almost 6,000 jumps during more than 20 years at RAF Brize Norton, was in a coma for four weeks, and needed extensive rehabilitation.

A decade on, the 49-year-old former Carterton resident is aiming to paddle around Britain in a specially adapted kayak to raise funds for the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA).

Having begun his mammoth voyage on the River Thames in London on May 13, Mr Rogoff hopes to have circled Britain clockwise by the end of August.

He said: "This is not just about one man and a boat, it is about getting a message across. You might have lost a leg or arm, but you can still get out there and do something.

"It is also about not forgetting those British troops who fly in and out of Brize Norton every week and risk everything to fight for this country overseas."

Dad-of-two Mr Rogoff, who has gained a pilot's licence since his self-confessed 'bad day at the office' ten years ago, has been spending up to nine hours a day afloat, paddling up to 52km at a time.

He said: "It has been harder than I ever imagined, that is why this is such a challenge.I got into difficulty and had to be rescued by a passing yacht off Land's End, and dislocated my shoulder off the coast of Margate before that.

"One of my prosthetic legs also snapped at the ankle and rolled down a bank - it has just been one thing after another, and the weather has really been against us. But I'm still out here, and everybody's laughing and enjoying themselves."

Mr Rogoff, who emigrated to South Africa after his accident, is staying in a van driven by friend Richard van Niekerk for the duration of the self-funded adventure and aims to raise £50,000 for BLESMA.

The journey is set to last until the end of August. For information, donations, and a daily diary visit: